If anyone knows that it’s like to be a failing Celtic manager then that would be John Barnes, so it’s been interesting to see him pipe up about Neil Lennon’s future.
The Sun have reported on some of his recent comments about what Celtic will do this summer in terms of the managerial position, and it does sound like he expects Neil Lennon to move on.
In fairness to Lenny there’s no point of changing the manager unless there’s a plan in place for genuine change, and Barnes did predict that some big names will come in:
“Things need to change and I think the club would need to make a real statement – in terms of the investment coming in and a manager coming.
“I think they would have to make a statement by going for someone with a good track record – basically a big-name manager who would come in and make big signings that said, ‘We’re going to get back to the top.
“Looking at the squad, a lot of players have been there for a while and, depending on who comes in, he’ll decide what players will fit his way of playing. With that, inevitably, some will stay but some will most definitely go.
“I also think that some of the players have become too comfortable, because it’s been so easy for them for so long. Not just the manager and not just the club, it’s also been easy for the players.”
That last point is an interesting one and it’s probably fair to suggest that everyone at the club needs to take some kind of responsibility for this season, but it will be interesting to see what actually happens in the summer.
In a way the slide this season could actually help to attract some high profile candidates – It’s not appealing to simply continue an incredible amount of success, but their ego may be attracted to being the man who can put Celtic back to where they belong on top of the league.
It’s probably important to get someone who has experience of European football too but foreign appointments do have a mixed track record at the club, but it’s clear that big change coming.