The only thing I know for certain is that Celtic need to aim high with the next managerial appointment. We can’t settle for a lesser option this time.
With a new CEO arriving at the club and, potentially, a sporting director, the club is at a crossroads. Celtic have a fantastic chance to bring new standards and new ways of thinking to our quest for success.
Lots of names will be linked with Celtic over the following weeks and months. It’s currently unclear which direction the club is going to go in.
One man they should be considering is plying his trade in La Liga with Granada – Diego Martinez. The Spaniard’s stock is on the rise, and if Celtic don’t snap him up, he’s destined for a move to a bigger club one day.
Why is that? Well, he’s taken a mid-table second-tier side into the top-flight and managed to turn them into a competitive Europa League side, all on a tight budget.
Martinez served a coaching apprenticeship at Sevilla, as a youth coach, first-team assistant and eventually reserves manager. An ill-fated gig at Osasuna followed, but it’s at Granada where he’s made his name.
Earning promotion to La Liga with the best defensive record in Segunda Division, Martinez would guide the club to a seventh-place finish.
That merited a spot in European competition for the first time in their history this season, and the 40-year-old is working his magic on the continental scene too.
Wins over Malmo, PSV and Omonia helped them negotiate the early rounds and group stage. Now they are on the verge of knocking out Italian giants Napoli after a 2-0 first-leg win in the round of 32.
Martinez primarily utilises a 4-2-3-1 formation that relies on defensive organisation and quick counter-attacking – a philosophy that could be the key to us reaching our potential in Europe.
Crucially, he also shows tactical flexibility, deploying 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations depending on the opposition [Transfermarkt]. Celtic have been crying out for a manager and coaching staff that has the tactical nous to change games.
Martinez also familiar with the sporting director concept, working closely with Fran Sanchez at his current club.
For me, many of the required boxes are being ticked.
You may find it fanciful that Celtic could attract a top-flight Spanish manager with Europa League ambitions – but I don’t.
On the doorstep of England, with excellent comparative resources and a talented squad to work with, Celtic could be the perfect next step for a manager on the rise like Martinez.
It could also be the ideal move for us.
Why not ask the question?
In other news, 3 immediate changes John Kennedy can make to improve Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
