Celtic are seemingly going left-field again with their next manager.
Sections of the Celtic fanbase were hoping the powers that be would make a statement of intent by going for a big-name, with titles to their name and Champions League pedigree.
But it seems as though Celtic are pushing for Wilfried Nancy from the MLS, although James McFadden thinks that doesn’t mean higher-profile coaches don’t want the Parkhead gig.
When talking about who could be Celtic’s next manager, with Nancy being ‘pushed to the front’, some interesting suggestions were put on the table.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesKjetil Knutsen and Nicky Hayen would ‘fancy’ the Celtic manager’s job
The two big names that were instantly linked with the Celtic Park gig were Kjetil Knutsen of Bodø/Glimt and Nicky Hayen of Club Brugge.
They seemed to be the preferred choice of the supporters, as the duo are currently coaching in the Champions League.
Speaking on Open Goal, McFadden doesn’t think Celtic approached those two about the vacant job, but it was the other way around.
The former midfielder feels the agents of Knutsen and Hayen knocked on Celtic’s door, suggesting they ‘fancy’ the job, and that’s where the noise around them two has come from.
Hayen didn’t dismiss the Celtic job when he was previously asked about it, whilst Knutsen is expected to leave Bodø/Glimt at the end of the year.
Si Ferry: “Do you see these guys. The Ipswich manager. The Bodø/Glimt manager. (Club Brugge) manager.
“Do you think Celtic have approached them? Or do you think Celtic look at them and go, ‘it’s unrealistic. They won’t come.’
McFadden: “No, no. It has to be either, they have approached them. Or the agents have got in touch and said, ‘Listen, we would fancy it.’ They don’t come from anywhere.”
Ferry: “If Celtic are speaking to them. Would it appear that they have all turned down the job? If we are speaking about Kjetil Knutsen.”
McFadden: “No, no, no. They will still be speaking to other candidates. The last time it was Eddie Howe. It was Eddie Howe, Eddie Howe, Eddie Howe. Months waiting on Eddie Howe.
“Then Ange came from nowhere. They will still be speaking to different candidates. You don’t always get the first guy you go for. I would imagine they would still be speaking to other people.”
Ferry: “The other guys would be higher up on your list than Wilfried Nancy, wouldn’t they?”
McFadden: “The other thing about him (Nancy) being pushed to the front is. The guys mentioned. Hayen, Knutsen and McKenna are on jobs. His agent might be pushing this. The message might be coming from somewhere else.”