Celtic are reportedly set to meet with a former player who hopes to become their next manager as Dermot Desmond continues his search for Brendan Rodgers’ replacement.
The Hoops have been searching for a new manager since Rodgers’ unexpected decision to leave the club last month. Names such as Ange Postecoglou, Kieran McKenna and Nicky Hayen have been floated, but Glasgow remain without a permanent manager.
But on the other hand, Martin O’Neill has continued to do a great job as interim and there are rumors that he could still be in the job, at least until the end of the season. The 73-year-old put history back last weekend to beat Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, but remained tight-lipped when asked about his high-profile full-time position.
O’Neill is not a bad choice considering Postecoglou has already stepped away from the race to take a break from football and McKenna has also reiterated his loyalty to Ipswich Town.
Celtic cannot afford to get their next permanent appointment wrong and hiring such an experienced manager until the end of the season will at least buy them time to get things right.
Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes recently praised O’Neill and shared his stance, saying: “It was a shock when Martin O’Neill came back into the team, you would have thought his achievements were from 20-odd years ago.
“But he’s in a tracksuit and as long as these results continue I think more and more fans will take this head on. There’s no need to rush into a decision as it looks safe at the moment.”
Parkhead bosses have reportedly taken the opportunity, while it is safe, to schedule interviews with former players dreaming of taking the job.
Celtic’s Efrain Juarez player schedule interview
As reported by the Scottish Sun, Celtic are scheduled to interview Efrain Juarez via Zoom. The potential new manager played for the Hoops from 2010 to 2012 and is currently the manager of UNAM Pumas in his native Mexico.
Juarez doesn’t have much managerial experience, having previously served as assistant manager at New York City and Standard Liège before taking up permanent roles at Atlético Nacional and Pumas. But he dreams of landing a job at Parkhead.
“For me, it will be a dream, and I am a dreamer!”
Even if Juarez, who operates a 4-2-3-1 system, takes over from O’Neill, who also favors an attacking formation, it will not introduce anything entirely new to Celtic.
What the Boys should be concerned about is the 37-year-old’s lack of experience. They are at a critical stage and may not be willing to take such a bet on a young up-and-coming manager like Juarez.
