Regardless of the outcome this season, most fans felt a new direction would be needed after the quest for ten in a row. As things turned out, there is almost unanimous agreement that a change is needed in the dugout as Celtic are 21 points behind the Rangers in the SPFL, out of the League Cup, failed to qualify for the Champions League and were humiliated in the Europa League. That’s more than a dip in form.
With a change of Manager in mind, I took a quick look at Sky Bet, to see whichnames are connected to the job and what odds they currently stand at. Eddie Howe is the favourite and many wouldn’t be averse to his appointment. However, beyond him there are very few inspiring names for the modern game and the rebuild that awaits, except one or two at very long odds:
Eddie Howe – 6/4
Jack Ross – 5/2
Martin O’Neill – 5/2
John Kennedy – 8/1
Gordon Strachan – 10/1
Slaven Bilic – 10/1
Damien Duff – 12/1
Veljko Paunovic – 14/1
Dan Petrescu – 16/1
Roy Keane – 16/1
Alex Neil – 20/1
Henrik Larsson – 20/1
Paolo Di Canio – 20/1
Jim Goodwin – 25/1
John Terry – 25/1
Malky Mackay – 25/1
Marco Silva – 25/1
Paul Lambert – 25/1
Rafael Benitez – 25/1
Serhiy Rebrov – 25/1
Shaun Maloney – 25/1
Stephen Robinson – 25/1
Steve Clarke – 25/1
Tommy Wright – 25/1
Xabi Alonso – 25/1
David Moyes – 33/1
Gary Holt – 33/1
Gavin Strachan – 33/1
Mark Hughes – 33/1
Patrick Vieira – 33/1
Paul Cook – 33/1
Paul Hartley – 33/1
Ralf Rangnick – 33/1
Scott Brown – 33/1
Sean Dyche – 33/1
Wayne Rooney – 33/1
With season tickets to sell, huge ground to make up in Europe and a title to try and reclaim, the next managerial appointment will be massive… if indeed there is a change at all. Aside from Eddie Howe, the eye catching names are between 25 and 33 to one shots. Can Celtic push the boat out? It always pays dividends in ticket sales, merchandise, Champions League money and on field success, when they do.
