Who would want to manage Celtic?

Last game: Killie 1 – 0 Celtic

Celtic form after 5 games:  WWLWL

By Séan Walsh

60,000 seater stadium, worldwide fan base, rich history, European football annually and the prospect of becoming adored by millions of fanatical supporters – the Celtic job looks like a dream move for any manager. On the other hand, that 60,000 stadium can become a torrent of abuse, that fan base can be calling for your head after one game and gradually, the gulf between the SPL and European football is growing – and I haven’t even got started on the media hacks, SFA incompetence and the inherited hatred from the rest of Scotland! Under fire manager Tony Mowbray only stated less than a month ago that he did not enjoy the job and argued that the likes of experienced Ferguson and Wenger would struggle to compete in the Glasgow goldfish bowl. Ask any Celtic supporter and they will tell you that there are three important teams in Scotland – Celtic, Celtic reserves (although non-existent in name) and Celtic U19’s.

From day one, a new manager can expect his managerial career to be sat on a knife edge of extremity. Celtic fans want everything all at once. The next game should be won, the league should be won, the domestic trophies won, a satisfactory performance in Europe at least and young blood should be nurtured through whilst protecting any older player who is a fans favourite (See Lennon, Hartson, Thompson, Balde and Nakamura for players who were guaranteed spots in their final season despite their obvious decline through seniority). Failure to succeed will only enrage the cohorts of internet football managers, the phone ins and sadly those who come to Parkhead only to whinge. Oh, and this can all happen within a week.

Yet, the other side of the coin is that any successful manager who can win over the fans and understand their mentality can be instantly ascended to hero status. A winning Celtic side often gathers momentum and the Celtic fans rise to the occasion to support their team more and more. In Europe, it used to be the case that I, and 59,999 other fans, feared no one at Parkhead. The likes of European conquerors AC Milan, Manchester United and Barcelona didn’t scare me in the slightest, even if we were a goal down – at Parkhead, we were unstoppable. Any ex-Celtic player or manager who achieved success at the club (though undoubtedly Strachan massively divided opinion and is contrary to my analysis) will tell you that the fans loved them, did anything for them and truly made the experience a special experience they will never forget. At Celtic, there is no room for middle ground – you either understand that or you don’t.

So, the current gaffer at Parkhead is currently undergoing his trial of competence. Granted, he has (most of the time albeit) got the team playing good football, and signings like Keane, NGuemo and Hooiveld have all accredited the above with fan favouritism. But, and crucially, last night’s result at Kilmarnock was the nail in the very posh coffin of Tony Mowbray’s Celtic career – for some anyway. I don’t want to get bogged down into the argument “should he stay or should he go” just yet, but I do worry that if he did leave – who is out there that could take Celtic to the next echelon of football. Since the departure of Martin O’Neill we have definitely lost prestige and “our way” – who can take us back to the dizzy heights of Seville or 6-2 against ‘them’? Here are a few suggestions currently without a job – and do note – currently available:

The Long Shots:

Bernd Schuster – the German manager most well known for securing a record highest points tally in La Liga whilst winning a championship title and Spanish Super Cup. Schuster guided Shakhtar Donetsk to a domestic cup victory and also managed Getafe to their first and second best seasons in club history, as well as passage to the UEFA cup stages and the Copa del Rey final. However, it’s likely Schuster will opt to stay in mainland sunny Europe rather than chug it out on Rugby Park in the cold.

Jürgen Klinsmann – another German who despite a relatively young age has shown signs of promise. The ex-Spurs man led Germany to a third spot finish in the 2006 World cup, playing attractive football with a young side. This led Klinsmann onto manage Bayern Munich where he failed to produce trophies, but managed the side to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. Again, it is unlikely he will want to swap his home in California for a house in Newton Mearns.

Fatih Terim – lauded the greatest Turkish player and manager of his time, Terim is regarded as a hard-line motivator whose no-nonsense approach was honed during 11 years as a rugged defender with Galatasaray. In a survey conducted by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics in 80 countries, Fatih Terim was placed among the best eight managers in the world. Terim has made his name as manager with Turkey, Galatasaray, Fiorentina and AC Milan. Highly recommended by the late Sir Bobby Robson, Terim is however unlucky to want to work in Scotland with a host of Spanish and Italian clubs chasing at his heels.

Juande Ramos – the journeyman Spaniard has managed a huge list of Spanish sides – Betis, Espanyol, Malaga, Sevilla and Real Madrid most prominent, along with a short spurt in the EPL with Spurs and most recently a Russian campaign with CSKA Moscow. Although criticised for some of his tactics and signings, Ramos holds two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and an English League Cup in his trophy cabinet. It’s unlikely that Ramos would be enticed to Celtic without guaranteed Champions League and a massive sack of cash to spend at his own will.

The Celtic PLC shoestring-budget likely choices:

Alan Curbishley – the former West Ham and Charlton man was once touted as the next England manager, losing out to Steve McLaren. He is best known for his time at Charlton, where he revived the team with two promotions to the EPL and kept them there for a bit. However, uninspiring football and really nothing brag about from a league one trophy isn’t exactly what we need to excel.

Ricky Sbragia – born in Lennoxtown, he’d at least feel at home at our training facility, but his record at his one club – Sunderland makes you want to gauge your eyes out. However, he did beat Mowbray’s West Brom 4-0 and managed to keep them in the Premiership after relegation fears. Please don’t do it Celtic.

Anyone ex-player affiliated with Celtic currently in management – Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson, experience – no, anything to show for themselves in terms of real tangible managerial success – no. Risky – incredibly. Cheap – very.

The European Risks:

Marco van Basten – one of The Netherlands greatest players, van Basten surprised many with some really credible results as Netherlands and Ajax manager. A Philosopher of quick and slick football, van Basten guided Holland to the group stages of the 2006 World Cup after a string of no-defeats through qualification. He isn’t scared to drop big name players and a man of principal. His win record with the Netherlands was 67% and 62% at Ajax – yet, what does he have to show for it?

Henk ten Cate – another Dutchman, the assistant slash manager slash assistant is on and off the verge of becoming a top class manager in Europe. Assistant to Rijkaard at Barcelona, he helped them win the Champions League and two La Liga titles. He won several domestic cups with Ajax and failed to win the league by a single goal in goal difference with PSV. After a brief spell as Chelsea assistant, he went on to manage Panathinaikos, where he led them to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time.

Michael Laudrup – the better brother is a worldwide name as a player, less so as a manager. A believer in fast and free flowing attacking football, Laudrup has won several trophies for Brondby, and was praised for his improvements to Getafe. However, his most recently job at Spartak Moscow finished miserably with only a 27% win record.

Ronald Koeman – the big Dutch defender has an impressive CV when it comes to clubs managed – Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia and AZ – all big European names that would be on par with the same status as Celtic near enough. He has won 3 Dutch championships, numerous domestic titles and both a Portuguese and Spanish domestic cup. However, all Koemans teams seem to have an inherent inconsistency that blemishes his managerial record.

Slaven Bilic – the rock ban ear ring wearing Croat has come to the attention of many clubs through his European Championship exploits. His introduction of U-21 talents Eduardo, Modric and Corluka formed the core of his successful team that defeated England home and away. Croatia went on winning all three group stages of the 2008 competition, beating eventual finalist Germany, until a shock defeat against Turkey. The charismatic young manager famously stated he would “walk to Glasgow” if offered the position at Celtic. Only his lack of league football experience hinders his application.