Journalist Mark Guidi has claimed that Dermot Desmond will not personally hand-pick Celtic’s next permanent manager, marking a potential shift from how major appointments have been handled in the past.
Celtic’s search for a new boss continues quietly behind the scenes, with Wilfried Nancy and Kieran McKenna among those linked to the vacancy.
However, there have been no confirmed approaches for any candidate, including Nancy, who recently became available following Columbus Crew’s exit from the MLS playoffs.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Guidi said that while Desmond will remain involved in the decision, this time there will be a formal recruitment process involving other key figures at the club, including Paul Tisdale, the head of football operations, and Desmond’s son, Ross Desmond.
“Dermot Desmond has basically hand-picked the manager – Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan, Brendan Rodgers,” Guidi said.
“My understanding is that won’t be the case this time. Obviously, he’ll be involved. His son, Ross Desmond, will be involved, but there’ll be a proper process.
“So, for example, Wilfried Nancy’s name has been mentioned. There is a connection to Paul Tisdale. Paul Tisdale, I’m led to believe, very much has Dermot Desmond’s ear, and the board will be involved in the process as well.”
If true, this would represent a notable change in how Celtic handle their managerial appointments, moving away from the more Desmond-driven approach that brought in O’Neill, Strachan and Rodgers in the past.
That refresh is desperately needed at Celtic, and not many Celtic fans will complain.
With the international break providing breathing room and Martin O’Neill’s interim spell still in limbo, Celtic’s next move could come soon.
The club are taking their time, doing its due diligence before appointing Brendan Rodgers’ successor.
