Fergal Harkin and Celtic are nearing an agreement over the Man City employee becoming the club’s new Director of Football.
The Herald is reporting that the deal is nearing but Harkin requires more reassurances regarding who signs off on transfers, which may coincide with the news that Eddie Howe’s former Bournemouth colleague Richard Hughes. The Daily Mail reported that Hughes is wanted as technical director by Howe but this may jeopardise the deal to bring Harkin to the club, on the face of it.
Eddie Howe is nearing a deal to become the manager, potentially following a Brendan Rodgers-type of progression to the club. However, this may be similar to Rodgers bringing Lee Congerton to the club back in 2016. This would then allow Harkin to resume overall control of the ‘bigger picture’ of the football club’s playing operations whilst Hughes may look at the recruitment side.
Harkin has long since been the leading candidate for the DoF role. The 44-year-old has spent 11 years with the City Football Group as they have grown to become one of football’s prominent forces, mainly thanks to shrewd recruitment across the board. Harkin is the Football Partnerships Manager at City and is highly rated for his extensive transfer network. City and Celtic have enjoyed a close relationship in recent years and Harkin is believed to be a Celtic supporter.
Harkin is expected to bring a number of City analysts and scouts with him as part of the incoming overhaul at Celtic Park.
Harkin has helped find and provide professional development pathways to a number of young players. He is potentially the most attractive candidate given the amount of influence he has with the Etihad club. The links that City have across the world are phenomenal and Harkin has helped cultivate that.
