Celtic interim first-team coach a contender for Norwich job

Celtic interim first-team coach Mark Fotheringham is being considered as a potential candidate for the Norwich City job…

The Canaries are on the lookout for a new manager following the dismissal of Liam Manning, who was relieved of his duties after enduring seven straight home losses only five months into his role.

According to the Scottish Sun, Fotheringham is being linked with the Norwich job even though he only became part of Celtic’s coaching staff less than two weeks ago following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation.

Fotheringham joined the backroom team to support interim boss Martin O’Neill, working together with Shaun Maloney, Stephen McManus and Gavin Strachan.

The 42-year-old made his comeback to the club where he began his career after over 20 years, having previously gained limited managerial experience during a brief spell in charge of Huddersfield Town.

However, he broadened his coaching background by working with Hertha Berlin under Felix Magath in Germany and also spent time with Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea national team last year.

Callum McGregor of Notts County celebrates with Mark Fotheringham — Callum McGregor of Notts County celebrates the third goal with Mark Fotheringham during the Capital One Cup First Round match between Notts County and Fleetwood Town at Meadow Lane on August 7, 2013 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

When asked by The Celtic Star why Fotheringham was added to his backroom team, O’Neill said: “I thought he was a really good lad, had super, super self-confidence about himself, you know? If he’d had a tenth of the ability that his confidence suggested he had, he would have been Messi. But, great lad, I like him, really.”

“I met him, I met him about, I’d say, about six or seven weeks ago by chance. I was at the League Managers Association meeting, and he was there. And it was really nice to meet him, I must admit. So I haven’t had a chance to see him. I’m surprised I haven’t heard him, but he’ll be fine. Fozzy will be fine, you know? He just needs, he just needs to sort out a little bit. He’ll be absolutely fine.”

Maloney also praised Fotheringham for his coaching abilities. The 42 year-old told The Celtic Star two weeks ago: “Fozzy, he’s had a brilliant sort of coaching career, really. With Felix Magath out in Germany, he did brilliant work at Hertha Berlin. And then he did really well with Swansea last year, so completely different character to the rest of the coaches.”

“Yeah, he’s a different character, so he’ll bring his own skill set, but he was a good lad. I think all the staff, this morning, wanted to pick the group up, and not just the players. You need people like Fozzy around and that sort of energy. So I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Conor Spence

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