NafisaWhilst ongoing talks continue between Celtic and potential managerial targets – with productive discussions already held between the club hierarchy and Robbie Keane recently, and Martin O’Neill also scheduled for a meeting – Tam McManus believes principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will ultimately revert to what he is most familiar with this time around…
Celtic parted ways with Brendan Rodgers last October, setting in motion a turbulent season filled with frustration and disruption, particularly around the managerial position.
Rodgers departed once again under a cloud:
Martin O’Neill was initially brought in to steady the situation when Rodgers left amid renewed speculation and controversy, taking temporary charge while the club searched for a permanent successor.
Michael Nicholson is believed to have selected French coach Wilfried Nancy to assume control from the Invincible Treble-winning boss, but things quickly deteriorated.
In scenes that felt almost fictional, Celtic’s campaign spiralled further, as Nancy’s unpredictable approach and lack of clear structure within his 3-4-3 system disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Nancy was eventually dismissed from his role in January:
Nancy was eventually dismissed in January following a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals at Celtic Park.
It once again fell to Martin O’Neill to step in and salvage the season:
It fell upon Martin O’Neill again to rescue the club from what many view as administrative chaos, with the winter transfer window further exposing shortcomings within the executive structure and the wider decision-making group associated with Desmond.
O’Neill returned to the turmoil and managed to drag results from an unstable situation:
The man who delivered a Treble in his first season back in 2000, and later guided the club through memorable European nights – including an unforgettable UEFA Cup run in 2003 that ended in Seville against José Mourinho’s Porto – once again stepped into disorder and produced results against the odds, without meaningful support in recruitment from above.
Now former Hibs striker and PLZ Soccer pundit McManus believes Desmond will return to the man he knows best for next season.
“He’s finished the season fantastic. Won the Double. He’s come in and saved them”
Speaking on the PLZ Soccer show alongside Peter Martin and Alan Rough, he said: “I think Martin’s in the box seat. He’s in a strong position. He’s finished the season fantastic. Won the Double. He’s come in and saved them.
“He’s won the League single-handedly. If it wasn’t for Martin O’Neill, I don’t think Celtic win that League Championship. If you’re asking me who do you think will be the Celtic manager next year — I think it will be Martin.”
McManus continued: “I think Dermot Desmond will be sounding out a few agents and a few managers abroad. But I think he’s going to come back to Martin O’Neill.
“I think he’s going to come back to Martin O’Neill and say, ‘do you fancy another year?’. And I don’t think Martin O’Neill is going to say no. If your asking me who I think is going to be the Celtic manager next year, I think it will be Martin.
“They will do their due diligence and go and speak to people, but to be honest, I think it will be Martin.”
Nafisa
