Now is the summer of our discontent.
Right now, Celtic fans should be basking in the glory of an eighth treble and have the proverbial cigars out.
However, if they have a nicotine addiction, it is more likely to be a hamlet!
At the moment, the clickbait incentivised sports desks are throwing out names at such a rate that the average Celtic supporter resembles Shakespeare’s indecisive Danish prince.
Not many Hoops fans are yet in the “smile that it happened” phase of grieving.
Indeed some seem to be in the “feeling used and jilted” frame of mind.
The departure of Ange Postecoglou has only underlined what a huge presence he was at Celtic.
His cult of personality among the fans was mirrored by his importance in the Parkhead command structure.
He did so much there that his absence is glaring.
Your humble correspondent is of the “never waste a disaster” persuasion.
Postecoglou’s departure proves beyond doubt that in an era of the two-season manager, a guarantor of continuity is required, which means a director of football.
A colleague remarked to me earlier this year that Celtic had an antiquated structure.
The manager as king model is of another era when the boss in the dugout was there for a long time.
Even Martin O’Neill’s tenure of five years now seems to be of another, much simpler, less complicated age.
Postecoglou fashioned Celtic with a rapidity that caught almost everyone off guard.
His recruitment was forensic.
None more so than his star striker.
Kyogo arrived in Glasgow and immediately made an immediate impact.
The constantly smiling striker, who seems to be constructed entirely out of vapour, is usually posted missing throughout the match.
Then he appears as a deadly apparition in the six-yard box.
Often his first touch in the entire contest is a scoring one.
Then there’s the dancing Portuguese winger.
When he is on the ball, it really is jogo bonito.
João Pedro Neves Filipe definitely deserves his own song.
Of course, both of them are at Celtic because of the departed Postecoglou.
So what happens now?
Is another tribal chieftain to be recruited, or does the richest club in Scotland finally have a structure that resembles a modern European football club in the 21st century?
The boring grown-up way to go is to appoint a director of football.
It can provide for a decade of continuity and steady improvement.
I’m reminded of my undergraduate days as a sociologist.
Bureaucracy versus charisma, Max Weber 101 with rational-legal authority replacing emotion.
Except for the football department, Celtic looks seriously modern and rational.
For example, the commercial arm purrs with profitable efficiency.
Moreover, it would not be upended if a senior person left for another gig.
The modern football supporter doesn’t expect a newly signed player to be there until the end of their contract.
Indeed, that is seriously bad business and is redolent of a poorly run operation.
Instead, it is accepted that if professional progress is made, the player will be sold at a profit.
Perhaps it is time that managers are viewed in the same way.
The people at Celtic should have a clear view of what they want in the new person.
For the avoidance of doubt, the ability to indulge in badge slapping is not essential.
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This myth about Ange’s recruitment really bothers me. It’s clear which are Manager signings and which are Club signings. Ange had likely never heard of the following before they turned up at training: CCV, Jota, Starfelt, Johnson, O’Riley. Ange did sign: Kyogo, Maeda, Hatate, Ideguchi, Iwata, Kobayashi. 2/6 of these were bad signings. Iwata likely a 3rd. Maeda in my opinion is a 4th. Kyogo & Hatate would never make it in any top league.
We should be used to uncertainty in the close season It has happened to us a number of times this century. I just hope that whoever is appointed by the Celtic board is competent and imaginative. Ange was in so much control of the football side of the club and kept prattling on that he was building something, it is no wonder that most of the fans thought he would be here for at least 4 seasons. I suppose the naivety of some of the fans [including myself] is so old fashioned these days. Being an old guy is my excuse.
Being a Celtic fan has always been a passionate thing for most fans but it looks to me like modern football is all about the bottom line these days.
I’m sure that European football is heading for splits in the administrative make up of the game. Teams such as Celtic, The Rangers, Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord, Benfica and Porto etc cannot go on forever being the poor relations without something eventually changing.
Just as teams like Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee clubs cannot continue to be poor relations in Scotland.
It is telling that a Celtic fan only complains about unfair competition when it effects them in Europe when the same thing has been staring them in the face in Scotland for nearly 30 years.
It is also telling that a Celtic fan, despite protestations of Rangers over last 10 years, still includes them as a fellow suffering club. In reality Rangers are your biggest rivals and closest pals.
We hear this same old patter repeated all the time. The crocodile tears about the other poor old Scottish teams who are hard done by because Celtic actually even exist. They can still aim for second place where Celtic won’t interfere.
Celtic are the poor relations in Europe because indecent sums of money are being thrown at teams in the big five leagues. In Scotland, Celtic are on top by
generating their own income, supplied mainly by their fans. Nobody has ever thrown cash at them, It’s hardly Celtic’s fault that other Scottish teams can only attract fans when they reach cup finals. I don’t remember any team in Scotland appealing to their fans to turn up for games so I don’t think you can compare. Celtic are where they are today despite having to defend themselves against continuing hatred and obstacles places in front of them for over 130 years.
Oh dear- everyone including Europe is out to get you now.
The facts are that with introduction of SPFL 10/2 voting set and tv money that what Old Firm want the Old Firm get.,
Celtic went broke in 94 and were bailed out by Fergus McCann’s money just as Rangers have been bankrolled since Souness era.
Phil has clearly stated in other posts how Celtic were keen to resurrect Rangers because your owners like and need Rangers just like all other Scottish clubs are told we need Old Firm.
I also noted in comment I was replying to do that it was stated that Rangers were one of the same clubs in the same boat as Celtic.
Pardon me if when I laugh at your tears for unfair playing field – the rest of Scottish football have had to suck it up since mid 90’s and so OF will have to suck it up in Europe.
You live by the sword you die by he sword.
I get the sentiment but in practice your grievances fall down. Prize money of 6, 4.5, 3.5, 2.5million for 1st to 4th. Not sure how else you ‘d divide it up but if the Glasgow teams got zero they’d still be far and away the richest sides in town and likely win 90% of the prizes? Ditto TV money.
Voting – say in extremis the Glasgow clubs did not get a vote at all, how would that change anything? What would you propose? Sharing the gate money, perhaps? Would the receipts of 80k extra bums on seats swing the difference? Er see math above.
Would the rest vote the clubs out the league? Well, there goes the TV audience and funding.
As imperfect as it might be I’m failing to see viable solutions that are not spurious complaints about some other mob having more money – an argument you seem critical of?
“Celtic went broke in 94”
Very remiss not to also mention Pacific Shelf etc blah, blah, blah.
Your Hundercover trolling isn’t very successful.
You’re no more a “wee diddy club” fan than the MSM are fair and balanced.
If you honestly think that the difference between Celtic and rangers and the rest of the Scottish league is the same as the difference between them and the EPL, La Liga etc is the same thing then you don’t know what your talking about. Even the difference between Celtic and either of the clubs that have called ibrox their home should be clear to any reasonable person
John
They (including you) laugh (wryly of course) about Celtic complaining about unfair competition in Europe and then you see no wrong lamenting about the same thing happening here.
Well, I’m afraid if Celtic have to suck it up Europe, you lot have to do likewise here.
My argument here is that it is due to tv monies and tv audience of Europe’s big 4 audiences that UEFA bend over to ensure clubs from big 4 countries are more successful.
From an non OF perspective this is not dissimilar to SPFL and SFA attitude to Celtic & Rangers.
Re other clubs not making efforts to attract supporters this shows a gross lack of knowledge or interest in other clubs.
Various clubs are using a myriad if schemes to attract supporters especially younger ones. If you look at attendance figures in SPFL this year attendances for every club are up (some significantly) apart from Rangers. Attendances for visits by Celtic and Rangers are now rarely the highest attendances that clubs get due to tv, the likelihood of being hammered and frankly the unpleasant atmosphere especially when you brothers from Ibrox are playing.
Lastly if you want to know who real dedicated fans are – it is the fans of the 10 other clubs in SPFL who buy season tickets each season knowing they have no chance of competing for title. Indeed, and rather perversely, their only realistic chance if silverware is in cup competitions for which season tickets are not applicable.
I actually quite admire Celtic as opposed to the shower at Ibrox, and they have produced many great players and teams over the years. The reason I comment on this site is to give the perspective of supporters of the other clubs and just ask you to take off your green and white tinted spectacles and look beyond Celtic Park.
Can you qualify this?
Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen come from cities with sizeable populations why they can’t attract more fans only they can answer. Glasgow and the West of Scotland have always been more enthusiastic about football. I know that you’ll probably come back at me with the bigotry and sectarian issue attached to the two big Glasgow clubs. There was only one club who actually practised bigotry and sectarianism for nearly 100 years.
I’m a realist and included The Rangers as a club of similar size to the others I mentioned.
If the clubs you mention could get more local people to turn up at their games then maybe the game would be more competitive in Scotland. Let’s face it Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and surrounding areas should be supporting their local teams more.
Here’s 1 guy happy as Larry.. My 8th Treble and of course Quadruple champions.. The last 23 years has spoiled many Bhoy’s
I remember when Celtic couldn’t win 3 games in a Row.. struggling to beat Airdrie Falkirk and Dundee.. etc
Now Some Bhoy’s are in state of shock because the manager has done a runner..He’s Hardly Wille Maley.. 87 trophies. back to back doubles and Trebles. 10 league Titles 11 Years.
Keep The Faith Bhoy’s and Relax enjoy the moment..Hail Hail..
One singer, one song. There might be an argument for a DoF with a massive squad and youth players on 20K a week. For a club of Celtic’s size the CEO can attend to contractual matters. Interesting situation with Rodgers. Has he been offered it and currently making up his mind? Or is he and Desmond waiting for one or other to pick up the phone? Who blinks first?
I think the role of DoF at well run modern European clubs has evolved from the Jock Brown days (appropriate as that was at the time).
I agree that a structure for better continuity is required and a HOF plus Coach system would a help. Times have changed and just like many of us we have jobs and move to other jobs. The club have to put in place all the things that will keep good managers and players as long as we can keep them. Money, facilities, ambition, culture, analytics, nutrition etc. even if we hold onto good players and managers one more year instead of only two it’s worth it.
could we get the appointments of DOF and manager both right? … nothing in our history to suggest so …. i’d take the cost of both roles add them together and attract a top manager and let him run all aspects of the football side of the business …re Ange …. nae harm to him came done a good job and left … that’s the way of it these days … the only constant is us the fans … everyone else should be viewed as seasonal hires .
And when that manager leaves? Back to square one again?
And what’s ‘top’? Top, as in the very best? Why would they ever come to Celtic? Top managers go to big clubs in big leagues
Celtic were paying Rodgers £2m per year for a couple of seasons. Let’s assume that’s something like the most we could pay. I don’t think it’s a leap to assume there are English Championship managers on similar or more – and very few of them will be ‘top’ managers. We recruited Mowbray from that cohort – a manager with an excellent record before and since, at that level. Is that ‘top’?
Celtic is not a unique European football club in terms of its size or scope. Most European leagues are relatively small and dominated by a very small number of larger clubs. Comparisons to England (in this and just about every other sense) are daft. There are equivalent examples we can look at for how to structure ourselves more effectively, in Bruges, Salzburg, Ajax etc. those clubs have a DoF. Successful managers leaving is quite simply assumed. The DoF/HoR is always prepared to replace them.
Throwing all of our money at a ‘top’ manager also doesn’t even guarantee anything. Rangers have an overwhelming financial advantage (even if only spending the money they have legitimate access to) over the other ten clubs. There are 102 points up for grabs where Rangers are the overwhelming favourite for any given three of them. They get most of those, they win the league. Their points total this season, usually wins the league (better than Celtic managed in 4-5 championships in the last decade). That doesn’t tell you everything, but it doesn’t tell you nothing either. It’s the same way Feyenoord or Sporting Lisbon will pitch in with a league title from time to time – because it will never be by having more money than Ajax or Benfica.
Besides, would a ‘top’ manager want this cohort of players – recruited for a very specific style? A striker that barely touches the ball is not the deliberate approach many managers take. It’s nothing like the Rodgers approach, say. If we just assess a manager by his ‘top’ quality, we will inevitably spend the summer dismantling a squad. Is that a good idea? Would we not be better trying to find the manager best suited to the current squad and system – given how successful it’s been? A rebuild is not needed, but we could easily find ourselves going through one, needlessly.
So, do the right thing, not the glitzy thing, always. The long term matters. Ignore the fans; they’ll only ever care about the short term. The club is in a uniquely strong position to ignore them this time. My season ticket money and everyone else’s is already in. Spend it wisely, don’t spend it to please me today – because there’s no guarantee that pleases me six months from now.
If our HoR is any good, then a well-researched appointment should be forthcoming in the next few days. If it’s not in the next few days, then there hasn’t been proper planning, and everything really is up in the air – and that’s on the club, alone. Good managers will leave football clubs. It’s banal, predictable and certain. So be prepared – or get someone who will be, and listen to them.
He came in and completed a great job. Then he left for more money in an undeniably better league. At the end of the day it is his job. He may have grown to love the club, but it was never his first love as it is for us.
We may through green and white tinted glasses mount an argument as to why he would have been better staying, but he chose otherwise, as is his right. He is a professional coach determined to get to the highest level, so good luck to him. It hurts but we would all have settled for this when he signed on. We would have bitten anyone’s hand off for 5 trophies out of 6 post Lennon.
As a lifelong Tim living in Oz, this is the third team I have followed that Ange has moved on from. Life moves on, we managed before him, we enjoyed him while he was here, we will move onto greater things. Celtic should always have a plan B to cope with such scenarios.
I’m really sad to see Ange go. Was a great leader and manager. Last year was one the best seasons i can remember, especially after lockdown and the crap that happened. Did i think he was different from the rest? Yes. I thought, well hoped that he would be here for a long time. It wasn’t to be but he gave us two fantastic years, five trophies, scalped the Huns on numerous occasions and made it a joy again to be a Celtic supporter.
All the best for the future Ange. A man with a young family, coming towards the end of his managerial career. He couldn’t turn down this opportunity.
Whoever we appoint should be our last manager. By the time (1 year? 2?) he moves on we should have a footballing operations department with a competent (vital that they’re competent) director of football, then we will be appointing head coaches. And at all times there should exist a list of 4 or 5 names to replace the current head coach. I’d be happy with Broony or JK in the role of head coach within such a setup. I would not be happy with them as managers under current setup.
Come home Brendan, all is forgiven.
I think we entered the period of managers being viewed as a saleable asset a wee time ago.
We should be thanking him for his achievement, for bringing in some funds and wish him all the best.
Of course Celtic have a list of potential replacements in the top drawer of Lawell‘s desk ready, top of the list is one Eddie Howe, fourth is someone called Ange something or other,….. oh hold on wait a minute.
Nothing to do with lawell
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Sun Tzu
Basically, a crisis can also be viewed as an opportunity. Unfortunately this opportunity can be for your foe.
Ange has a bit of a track record for moving on to other jobs ” out of the blue” ( see Brisbane Roar) and the chance to be the first Australian to manage in the EPL ( and in the so called big five leagues), pitting his wits against Pep, Klopp etc would have been a major draw, so I don’t believe money and contract length was the issue. As for a DOF did Ange not knock back that idea as he wanted to be in sole charge?
He did. And in context, that’s fair enough. That’s the club’s fault. DoF needs to be in first.
The only issue with that plan is that eventually successful Directors of Football will also be poached by bigger clubs!
All this episode has done for me is just starkly illustrate how modern football has become a business first and a sport second, which is thoroughly depressing. It’s having the effect of making me lose enthusiasm for the game, even though the “product” is wonderfully entertaining.
That’s only really an issue if the DoF and the manager are poached at the same time. That then rests on the CEO having a list of coherent replacements for the DoF.
DoF’s don’t tend to move so quickly. They’re not quick-fix appointments as managers are. There is also more scope for career longevity in that position, these days, than there is for managers (who really have a prime decade or so).
But even in a scenario where that does happen, the operation of a well run club should cope with it through sound and coherent planning.
Absolutely agree with this. Not like the old days is a mantra for older people like me. But it is undeniably true with players earning half a million a week and clubs like Brighton richer than Celtic with 60,000 every week. The game has lost its soul. Player and manager turnover is crazy. Loyalty nearly zero. Men like McGregor are the exception. Kids wearing Barca kits instead of local teams. Once great clubs sinking in wastelands caused by TV revenue or oligarch owners. Breaks my heart that the game I grew up with is so far from the people who love it – the fans.
Have you seen Dundee play?
Entertaining?
Plenty of scope for the club to do the right thing here. We’ve a well connected HoR who should have been scouting all along. They have the season ticket money banked and so there’s no need to please the crowd.
Reasons for optimism (until there’s not).
Hopefully we’ll soon be reminded that your borrowed and adapted opening line is the first clause of a statement, rather than a definitive sentence.
Plenty of scope for glorious summer, and for the clouds that loured upon our house to be brief.
I love reading your posts. Read them every time you post something. I wish Ange all the very best and a massive thanks for making my beloved Celtic the super club it should be. His rescue was miraculous to say the least …almost up there with the number, but maybe not quite! Thanks for your wisdom and interesting posts. Keep it up.
Yes I agree the badge slapping is a make up nothing else no matter who the manager is
Totally agree that managers should be viewed the same as players, I.e. not seeing out their contract / sold at a profit.
…which is why it was shocking that Ange was not tied down to a multi-year deal – the day after he won the Double last year. Why did that not happen?
Was Ange offered a multi-year deal LAST YEAR?
If not, why not?
That commercial oversight / negligence has cost the club several millions of compensation revenue.
If I was guessing, I’d say because he was offered (or at least sounded out) about one and turned it down.
Once he’d had a successful first season, he was in charge. The contract was in the club’s interest far more than it was in his. All fair enough.
What was the board going to do? Sack him? Leak that he hadn’t signed it and ruin the lucrative feel-good, not to mention the cohesion of the squad?
Of all that has been written (and that I’ve read and heard) about this situation in the last week, I just can’t see any real gripe that a grown up can have about the situation.
No one’s done anything wrong. Just because something hurts doesn’t mean that someone has hurt you.
The only issue I will have (and that I’m prepared for) is if I see clear evidence that the club was entirely unprepared for this and does not have a list of realistic, scouted replacements ready to go – as they should have at any given time.
That would be on them, alone. It’s basically the only thing they have to be fully prepared for with regard to the football operation.
But, I’m choosing to remain optimistic for now.
Mayhe was offered a multi year deal
And we did get 5 million in compensation
I have to say that I find the £5m compensation figure difficult to believe. A compensation figure usually reflects the salary and the length remaining on a contract. Ange was on a one year rolling contract and was earning NOWHERE in the region of £5m per year.
Think Celtic probably said to Spurs, “you know, we could take this to court and investigate whether you made contact within the law” etc. And, fair play, well played Celtic if so. But still, who cares. We poached Ange from Yokohama in the middle of a league season. It’s just what happens.
Tell us about the mythical law
Maybe had a clause in the rolling contract, minimum fee release clause as players do?