My four man shortlist for the Celtic job. Name number three Christian Ilzer…
The number two name on my four man shortlist for the Celtic managerial position is Christian Ilzer, yet another name who’s been highlighted once or twice in the SMSM, and rather interestingly his odds where slashed across the board at the weekend.
The Austrian coach impressing at Hoffenheim
The Austrian coach is not what you would call a household name, but the impressive job he’s doing in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim is a huge indication of his credentials, and make him very much the calibre of manager he should be aiming for.
48 year old Ilzner, pursued a career in coaching after his ambitions as a player was drastically cut short at the age of just 17 due to a series of cruciate injuries.
Starting at the very bottom in youth football, Ilzner combined his coaching duties with several other lines of employment such as an electronic technician, and a trainer, as he slowly worked his way up to the ranks of the senior level of Austrian football.
Ilzer made his name at clubs such as TSV Hartberg, securing them a place in the Austrian top flight for the first time in their history, before moving Wolfsberger FC, and achieved a first there also as they qualified for the Europa league group stages after finishing third in the top flight.
Iszer broke RB Salzburg’s decade long dominance of the Austrian game
Ilzer then made the move to Austria Wein, but it was Strum Graz with whom he rose to prominence, leading them to the Austrian Bundesliga for only the fourth time in their history, and in doing so breaking RB Salzburg’s decade long dominance of the Austrian game.
After winning the league and cup double with Strum Graz and competing in the champions league group stages, Ilzer was on the move, this time to current club German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
In just 18 months, Ilzer has turned Hoffenheim into relegation candidates to champions league spot candidates, and currently occupy fifth spot in the German top tier.
An emphasis on aggressive pressing and direct attacking
Ilzer is known for having his sides well drilled with an emphasis on aggressive pressing and direct attacking. He also prefers the old fashioned 4-4-2 set up, and likes his sides to be strong and compact in the middle of the park something that’s been our Achilles heel in recent years.
Next Celtic manager? He should at least be sounded out.
He’s number two on my list as a worthy candidate to be the next manager of Celtic FC.
Coming up my number one and favourite managerial candidate to take over from Martin O’Neill this summer…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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