An “unbelievable” attacking manager has now emerged as a leading candidate to replace Martin O’Neill in the Celtic dugout this summer.
Hoops planning for life after O’Neill
Speaking after the last-gasp victory at Kilmarnock earlier this month, O’Neill made it clear his side’s habit of leaving it late needs to change, saying: “It is unsustainable. There’s no question of it. It is, absolutely. No, personally speaking, I think we have shown a spirit.
“I think the lads do keep going. But at the end of it all, it seems as if it’s something that you’re almost planning. It’s not. It’s not. And it’s not good for my heart at all.”
Since then, the Hoops’ luck has run out, being thrashed 4-1 at home against VfB Stuttgart in the first leg of the Europa League play-off, before going on to lose 2-1 against Hibernian at Parkhead on Sunday.
The 55-time Scottish Premiership champions are still in the title race, but the current crop of players clearly can’t be compared with some of the dominant sides of old, meaning whoever replaces interim O’Neill in the summer is likely to have a big job on their hands.
According to a report from Football Insider, Celtic are now starting to narrow down their shortlist, having identified Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou and Portugal boss Roberto Martinez as the two leading candidates for the job.
The aforementioned duo are ahead of the likes of Graham Potter and Robbie Keane in the hierarchy’s thinking, with Askou emerging as a frontrunner, off the back of receiving some high praise for the job he’s done in his first season in Scotland.
Askou could be “unbelievable” O’Neill heir
Celtic writer Ryan McGinlay is not the only person who has been left impressed by the Motherwell boss, with East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy saying: “Once you spend time in his company you quickly realise what an unbelievable talented coach/manager he is. Under pined by this is his characteristics as a person, he has an aura about him.”
With the Scottish Premiership being extremely tightly contested this season, there is a remote chance the Steelmen could still compete for the title, given that they are currently sitting in fourth place, only four points behind the Hoops.
|
Jens Berthel Askou’s record at Motherwell |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
36 |
|
Wins |
20 |
|
Draws |
11 |
|
Losses |
5 |
|
Points per game |
1.97 |
The Dane has also performed well in his previous managerial roles, winning a total of four trophies across spells with Danish sides AC Horsens and FC Copenhagen, and Faroese team HB Torshavn.
Admittedly, the 43-year-old is yet to prove himself at the highest level, unlike Martinez, who has a lot of experience in the Premier League, but Askou could be an exciting, more left-field appointment for Celtic.
Celtic chiefs now discussing move to hire international manager who’s won 47 Premier League games
The Bhoys could make their move.