Celtic are on the verge of appointing Fergal Harkin as the club’s new Director of Football with a new report claiming the deal is ‘90% done’. Football Insider claim that the Irishman is set to become the club’s new head of footballing operations with a move from Manchester City.
The 44-year-old has spent 11 years with the City Football Group as they have grown to become one of football’s prominent forces, mainly thanks to shrewd recruitment across the board. Harkin is the Football Partnerships Manager at City and is highly rated for his extensive transfer network. City and Celtic have enjoyed a close relationship in recent years and Harkin is believed to be a Celtic supporter.
Harkin is expected to bring a number of City analysts and scouts with him as part of the incoming overhaul at Celtic Park. This will likely give Harkin and incoming CEO the ability to appoint a new manager ahead of next season. Enzo Maresca, Eddie Howe and Jesse Marsch have been linked with the role in recent weeks as the club look to rebuild after a poor season.
Harkin has helped find and provide professional development pathways to a number of young players. He is potentially the most attractive candidate given the amount of influence he has with the Etihad club. The links that City have across the world are phenomenal and Harkin has helped cultivate that.
Once he is in the door – or even if he has to work remotely for a few more weeks – we can finally address the manager situation and then players. Real potential for the right structure to finally happen and modern appointments with modern ideas. I’m not sure about Chris Wilder, he’s okay but has tanked this season. Howe I think has the right temperament, Maresca I don’t know but would work well with Harkin probably. Marsch, I think he’s a year away from moving to a new club. This appointment alone will really galvanise us and I hope the players too before tomorrow’s match!