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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Scott Burns

Surprise Irish name among candidates to be next Celtic manager after Ange Postecoglou leaves for Spurs

Former Manchester United coach and current Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna could come into the equation to replace Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager.

Enzo Maresca remains a major contender to replace Postecoglou in Glasgow's east end, but it is understood that Fermanagh native McKenna could also be looked at by the Hoops.

The Celtic hierarchy have now ramped up their search after their treble-winning boss made the move to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. Assistant coaches John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan look set to join the Australian at Spurs. It is set to leave the Scottish champions with a major void to fill. They are currently considering options and taking applications.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou using Harry Kane ploy to seal Harry Maguire as first Tottenham transfer

Manchester City assistant coach Maresca is on the radar of the Parkhead board, but English Championship new boys Leicester City are also keen on Maresca and could provide competition to any Celtic move. Spanish sources have confirmed that the 43-year-old, though, is keen to step back into frontline management. Nothing official is likely to happen before Saturday’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. The Celtic board are looking at a number of options and one of them is Ipswich boss McKenna.

The 37-year-old has just led Ipswich to promotion to the English Championship. The former Manchester United coach’s teams play in a similar style to Postecoglou, reports The Daily Record.

McKenna has previously coached at the academies of Tottenham and United before he moved to the Old Trafford first-team. He took charge of Ipswich back in 2021.

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter has also been linked with the vacant position as has Bodo Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen. Dutch giants Ajax want to speak to Knutsen and so far have been unable to nail down talks and there doubts Celtic would end up in a similar situation.

He has already impressed playing against the Hoops in Europe. Brendan Rodgers had initially been the early favourite but a Parkhead return looks increasingly unlikely, but not impossible.

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