Harry Kewell joins Celtic’s coaching staff as Stephen McManus moves to B Team

Celtic have this evening confirmed that, as expected, Australian legend Harry Kewell has joined Ange Postecoglou at Celtic Park. The move comes after a report on Sky Sports last week that the former Liverpool and Leeds winger would join the backroom staff at Parkhead ahead of the 2022-23 cinch Premiership season.

The Champions League winner has a wealth of experience at the upper echelons of the game during his playing days. Once he retired the Aussie has had stints at Barnet, Notts County, Oldham and Crawley as manager. He was also in charge of Watford U-23’s at one point a good few years back.

Now the forward will link up with fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou. Ange said (via the official Celtic website) of the appointment:

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND – MAY 11: Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates at full time during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on May 11, 2022 in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I am really pleased that Harry has agreed to join my staff. He knows the game inside out at the highest level and wants to play football the way myself and my team see it. I know he is hugely excited about joining Celtic, he is well aware of the scale of the club, what our ambitions are and I know he will make a really positive difference to my team.

“I was keen to restructure our coaching set up, a critical part of this was having a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures – and Stephen’s role will also be hugely important for us as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team, directly up to the first team.

“The B Team will again compete in the Lowland League, something which will be a crucial development opportunity for our young players as they aim to progress and advance further. I wanted a really strong connection to the development of our B Team and Stephen, with his knowledge of our current first-team philosophy and demands will be ideal in this role.”

Kewell himself was delighted as he said:

“It is a massive honour to join Celtic and team up with Ange. He and his backroom team and the players have done brilliantly in their first year together, producing winning football in a great style. To turn things around and become Champions so quickly is a huge testament to Ange and everyone else at the club.

“The manager is synonymous with attacking, exciting football, something he delivered on last season and something I know Celtic fans have loved right across the generations. We will be aiming to give our fans more of the same going forward and I look forward to playing my part in bringing this to our supporters.

“Celtic is a club the whole world knows and admires and it will be a privilege to be part of such a fantastic footballing institution. I am well aware of the demands and responsibility which comes with the territory at such a massive club and this is something which excites me and I am sure everyone else lucky enough to be associated with Celtic.

“I can’t wait to join up with Ange, the coaching staff and players for the challenges ahead and hope to play my part in our future success.

“I’m ready to work and am really looking forward to getting started.”

5th December 2021; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland: Scottish Premier League football, Dundee United versus Celtic: Celtic coach Stephen McManus

Of course the other big news from this appointment is that Stephen McManus will now be given the task of creating a pathway between the Bhoys first-team and the development squad or B-team as it’s referred to by Ange. Hopefully Stephen can bridge the gap and ensure more talent than ever before makes it’s way into Ange’s changing room.

Paul Gillespie

David Potter’s new book, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style is featured in the new edition of the Celtic View which is out now and available from the Celtic Stores.  You can also pick up the Willie Fernie book there too or order direct from Celtic Star Books, link below…

About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

Comments are closed.