Ange Postecoglou is going to leave Celtic at some point. That’s obvious.
I just don’t feel it’ll be happening that soon. Nonetheless, Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson and the hierarchy need to start succession planning right now and keeping tabs on potential new managers because the interest is growing in their Aussie and it is not going away. If Postecoglou keeps building up Celtic at his current rate, an offer may easily arrive that the manager feels is hugely tempting. There could be offers this summer.
It’s obvious Postecoglou likes a challenge, but for my money, it would need to be something that appeals hugely for him to go at this stage because he looks to be savouring life at Celtic and there appears an attachment with the club. I don’t know Postecoglou well. I’ve only met him a couple of times. But listening to him speak and watching how he goes about his business, he seems to really get the club. As I said earlier in the week, he doesn’t strike me as the type to disappear at a time that does not suit Celtic. There seems to be a substance to him. I don’t hear him speak about Celtic and the fans and his enjoyment of the job and think it’s merely lip service. I think it’s genuine. In addition, he looks to have only just started his work. Assessing the way he has recruited and has gone to the J-League to get guys who know his style, that tells me they are on board because he is also on board.
However, the more he succeeds, the more people are going to look at him. That’s only natural. One thing to consider which may work in Celtic’s favour when it comes to English interest is a snobbery that could well come into play. My own feeling is that, unless it were a really top job south of the border that became available, the Aussie would not be interested.
And, when I think of how the very top clubs in England would go about potentially filling posts in the modern game, I harbour lingering doubts about them looking towards Glasgow. Let me make an example. And it is just an example because I don’t want people thinking I’m advocating for or predicting the exit of Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool.
But, if the German were to leave his post at Anfield tomorrow, I don’t think there are many who wouldn’t think Postecoglou could go into a club of that size and make an impact. He plays their attacking brand of football and has shown in Glasgow he can handle a big environment.
My biggest question would be over those people filling the vacancy. In this current footballing world, would the owners of a Liverpool look to Scotland for an Australian who is the manager of Celtic? Or would they prefer to go down the perceived glamour route? For a Mauricio Pochettino type, for instance?
I know it has happened in the past. Graeme Souness went straight from Rangers to Liverpool, but that was three decades ago. I feel mindsets have changed more recently. You could argue, correctly, there’s been a slight reversal with recent appointments. Graham Potter would not have been a huge name in European terms when he got the gig at Chelsea. Same, you could say, for Mikel Arteta going in at Arsenal.
It’s clear that club hierarchy are maybe scratching a little more under surfaces nowadays. The times of just a big name manager or a past player like a Frank Lampard or a Steven Gerrard aren’t just as prevalent. Nonetheless, I’d still have doubts. Of course, the majority of the smaller clubs in England’s top-flight would be interested. But would Postecoglou be interested in them? Would he really want to swap Celtic for a Wolves or a Brentford? Can’t see it myself. Leeds are big, but not as big as his current club.
It may depend on timing, what the challenge is. Who is to say what floats Postecoglou’s boat. Right now I sense it’s Celtic Of course, the Champions League may have a massive influence on how Postecoglou may or may not view things in the future. Given the way he goes about his business, he is going to win trophies on a regular basis for Celtic for as long as he’s there.
However, it’s making a mark in Europe which holds the real appeal. Postecoglou has said himself how much he wants that.
He’s cited models of clubs from smaller nations making an impact amongst the elite and spoken openly about the transfer model which can help Celtic to make it happen.
But what if it doesn’t? Brendan Rodgers couldn’t stop winning trophies at Celtic and enjoyed accolades over his team’s group stage efforts in the Champions League when they first got into it. However, the next year, with no further progress, the plaudits dried up. The enormity of what it takes to make that impact hit home to him.
In truth, the domestic stuff seemed to lose its appeal at the same time for Rodgers when there was no progress being made on the continent. One thing, though. You could sense the end was coming for Rodgers. Right at his moment, you don’t with Postecoglou.
In many respects, him leaving soon would feel even worse for supporters than when Rodgers left. Postecoglou will go into next season’s Champions League aiming for improvements. If he gets them, I’m sure it’ll drive him to again. And again. Build it up and build it up.
But if they can’t make a mark in the near future, does the realisation come that it’s just too big a gap to bridge and, in order to start trading blows with the elite, it’ll need another club to get him there? Only he will know or decide that. Hopefully for Celtic, Postecoglou will get some success there and it won’t become an issue.
In turn, though, success in Europe for Celtic will just make their manager an even more attractive option to some big hitters in other countries. My feeling is that, when the time comes, it’ll be a natural thing.
But, whether they like it or not, Celtic have to be ready for the day when it happens.
