John Kennedy won’t pretend it was an easy decision, but he’s certain he made the right one.
The offer to follow Ange Postecoglou to the bright lights of the Premier League was a tempting one, and yet not enough to persuade the Celtic assistant manager that pairing up with Brendan Rodgers for a second time was the best thing for his career development.
Upon being appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager, Postecoglou made it his mission to ensure Kennedy remained by his side in North London, having spoken so highly of his work throughout two years together at Parkhead. And so, he found himself in a tug-of-war between arguably the world’s foremost domestic league and the club that has been a constant in his life since he was a child.
It has been taken as a given that Kennedy will be a manager somewhere, someday. It is telling of his talent that every manager who walks into Celtic Park fights tooth and nail to retain his services. Whether Kennedy felt that the path to stepping out on his own would be less clear in England remains unknown, but he’s satisfied that reuniting with Rodgers was the correct call, despite his immense respect for Postecoglou.
“It wasn’t so much that the decision was made for me,” Kennedy explained.
“It was an open conversation throughout that time. When it first happened, I had a conversation with Ange about it. At that time Celtic didn’t have a clear indication on who was going to be the next manager.
“So it was a situation where there was a lack of clarity on one side, where it was about being patient and seeing how things panned out.
“Then quickly after that things started happening with Brendan. From then on, knowing Brendan really well, we had a really good discussion around things and talked about what he wanted to move things forward.
“I spoke to the club about this and we kind of made the decision that we’d work together and try and progress things from where it’s been. So there have been no issues.
“I have a great relationship with Ange, I still have. I had a great relationship with Brendan and now he’s back and we’re working very closely together again.
“I’m really happy to be in the position I’m in - it’s an opportunity for me again to work with a top manager.
“I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve now worked with so many. But the next period is one I’m looking forward to and hopefully having more success again.”
But was it a tough call? There’s a myriad of reasons managers and players flock to the English top-flight at the first opportunity, turning it down could not have been a split-second call.
“Yeah, listen, any decision you have to involve your family and a number of things,” Kennedy said. “But the right decision is the one I’ve made, staying here with Brendan.
“I’ve worked here for a long time, I know what the club’s all about. I’ve had great success, and had the other side where it’s not been perfect but that’s all part of your career and what makes you.
“As I’ve said before, the people I’ve managed to work with in the past has been great for me. I’ve never felt like I’ve stagnated or flatlined here.
“Every couple of seasons there’s been change, a new manager has come in and I’ve had the opportunity to work with them. The calibre of player and manager we have brought in has been at the top level, so I’m very comfortable in the decision I’ve made and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead.”
It’s been just under a month since Rodgers swept back into Lennoxtown to commence his second tenure, and since then Celtic have been hard at work in Portugal and Japan ahead of the new season. Having spent four years at Leicester City, Kennedy revealed an evolution in the invincible treble-winning manager’s approach to coaching.
And it’s the prospect of ‘picking his brain’ which keeps the former Celtic centre-back satisfied that turning down Spurs’ advances was not a sideways or backward step. Indeed, Kennedy seems as enthusiastic as ever about what the season ahead might hold, and firmly believes the returning Rodgers can help him become an ever better coach.
“That’s been part of my career path, every change that’s come, I don’t feel as if it’s ever been a backward or sideways step,” he insisted. “It’s always been a step forward for me.
“Sticking around here, there’s a new challenge and new manager around the corner that I feel I’m going to learn from. The first time working with Brendan was a real eye opener in terms of detail and organisation, how to prepare to be the very best.
“He was absolutely unbelievable for me in that period. After that, having a period to work with Neil who I knew as a player, and after that Ange coming. Ange is a top manager and I’m really excited to see what he does down the road at Spurs.
“I think you’ll see his level, it’s a great opportunity for him. I had a great time working with Ange and learned a hell of a lot.
“Coming back, Brendan has had another several years in the Premier League and has evolved himself. I’ve seen that, the little changes in him and how he’s evolved with the game.
“He’s not changed in terms of character and personality but naturally the game makes you evolve as a coach. It’s been great to pick his brains in terms of all the challenges he’s faced in the Premier League.
“It’s been a great opening month and we’re excited for the season coming. We’ll attack it with everything we’ve got.”
