Celtic fans were left shocked this afternoon after the club’s long pursuit of Eddie Howe came to an end with both sides walking away from the negotiating table. The 43-year-old had been the favourite to take over the managerial job at Paradise this summer in anticipation of a new season. Unfortunately no deal was forthcoming and the club confirmed to The Celtic Star that the reason for Howe’s call-off was due to being unable to assemble his own backroom staff.
Contractual issues held the deal up initially but Howe and Celtic were comfortable with their respective positions as the Englishman was keen on the job. However, today the news broke that Howe pulled out of a deal with Celtic after he was unable to assemble a backroom staff ahead of the new season. Howe had a number of targets to make up his staff from coaches, physios and sport scientists but a combination of contracts at Bournemouth, unwillingness to move to Glasgow or family ties meant that Howe could not assemble the staff that he wanted to and as a result, talks broke down.
Howe was given assurances and time by Celtic, regarding who he could bring in and what the budget would look like. However, after the Championship Final, he attempted to arrange his new look staff and was rebuffed by a number of his former colleagues, meaning that the deal was effectively dead in the water.
Howe was adamant that he would only take the job if he was able to assemble his own backroom staff, something which is important for any manager worth their salt. As a result, Celtic now need to appoint someone else and the club say that they are nearing this appointment with an unnamed candidate.
Celtic, fearing this may have happened, retained another candidate throughout the managerial appointment process. It is said that talks have advanced with this candidate and that an announcement is imminent as the club look to win back the league title after a sobering year on the park. It is likely that the talks advancing with the other candidate lead to the club accepting Howe to walk away.
The club will need to act quickly and banish the memories of the lengthy pursuit of Howe. A marquee appointment is required that will attract players but also herald in a new era at the club.