As Celtic look to replace Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Mancini once admitted that he would love to manage the Bhoys.
During Brendan Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic, the legendary Italian boss waxed lyrical about managing the Hoops but only if they competed in the Champions League.
Mancini has managed the likes of Inter Milan, Man City, Lazio and Italy and has won the Champions League, Serie A, Euro 2020 and the English Premier League.
And as Celtic search for a permanent replacement for Rodgers, Mancini once said the Bhoys would be on his list if the Champions League ‘was the next step’ for the Glasgow giants.
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The Champions League has been a sore point for Celtic supporters this season after being knocked out by Kairat Almaty in the qualifiers.
And, ironically, Mancini once admitted that he would take charge of the Bhoys if Celtic showed ambition in Europe’s elite competition.
Mancini told The Sunday Post in 2017, “The Scottish fans are the best in the world, I love them,” he said.
“In one way it would be nice to see Celtic and Rangers in the Premier League, but I don’t think it will ever happen because it would also be the end of Scottish football.
“I want to add one thing.
“If Celtic were to build a team strong enough to regularly compete in the Champions League, I might decide to manage them one day.
“For me, that is the next step for them, and one which I believe they are trying to take.
“Winning the league has become normal for them. They have the fans and the history. Now they have to strive to become an important player at the top level in Europe.”
Mancini is currently a free agent and looking for work, could Celtic be his next destination?
Roberto Mancini’s full managerial honours as Celtic look for Rodgers replacement
Celtic supporters will be very familiar with Mancini’s winning record so here is his full list of domestic, European and national honours.
Fiorentina
Coppa Italia: 2001
Lazio
Coppa Italia: 2004
Inter Milan
Serie A: 2006, 2007, 2008
Coppa Italia: 2005, 2006
Supercoppa Italiana: 2005, 2006
Manchester City
Premier League: 2012
FA Cup: 20101
FA Community Shield: 2012
Galatasaray
Turkish Cup: 2014
Italy
UEFA European Championship: 2020
UEFA Nations League third place: 2021, 2023
Could Celtic attract a manager of Mancini’s calibre to come in and replace Rodgers permanently? You can never say never.
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