Nicky Butt has left his role as Manchester United’s Head of First Team Development after nine years in the role. The former United hero, who played over 400 games for the Old Trafford side, confirmed that he is looking for a new professional challenge. This news coincides with a rumour putting Butt beside Roy Keane in the Celtic Park dugout.
I should point out that this is just a rumour on social media and not worth getting too worked up about (yet). However, the rumour goes that Keane will become the new Celtic manager and will be joined by Butt, who was highly rated at United but saw his career away from his boyhood club.
Re: all the rumours. Wouldn’t be against having Nicky Butt at Celtic in some capacity.
Highly rated at Man United.
Not convinced by Keane but if he is there as a figurehead and Butt is in as the coach, can think of worse ideas. Certainly don’t think it’d be the disaster pitched pic.twitter.com/tdFzsfdHN5
— The Grand Auld Podcast (@GrandAuldPod) March 24, 2021
Dermot Desmond did, of course, say that the club didn’t have a preferred candidate in mind yesterday so that is one thing to remember before committing to the Keane/Butt bandwagon.
Butt is a favourite to become the next Salford manager, of whom he is a part owner along with his Class of 92 teammates. Whilst the idea of Keane and Butt combines two top professionals, who were integral to Sir Alex’s winning machine, the prospect of them joining Celtic may slightly terrify some supporters who were hoping for a modern managerial appointment. Keane has been touted for the role of manager with a number of ex-players suggesting that he would be a revelation for the Parkhead club.
The former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder has been widely linked with the vacancy despite not having held the position of manager in over a decade. The Ireland legend has been Assistant to Martin O’Neill with Ireland and Nottingham Forest but this doesn’t bother Hartson, who believes that Keane will be able to galvanise this group of players and regain the Premiership title
Keane made just 13 appearances for Celtic, scoring once before he was forced to retire. Keane would help Celtic complete a double that season with the League Cup and League, his last as a player. The outspoken Sky Sports pundit has a good relationship with Dermot Desmond and Desmond wanted him to become Neil Lennon’s replacement in 2014 but no deal transpired.
