Dermot Desmond interviews are as rare as hen’s teeth but when the Irish billionaire does speak, usually to official Celtic media outlets, then he often gives a real insight into how the club operates.
And that was the case last year when majority Hoops shareholder opened up on the process that led to the club landing Ange Postecoglou - and the method that will likely be used to find the 57-year-old Aussie’s successor. Desmond was spotted at the club’s Lennoxtown training ground recently where he was snapped alongside Postecoglou which immediately set tongues wagging. Given what we now know with Tottenham and Postecoglou, was it the manger’s future that was being discussed?
But it’s what Desmond, chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson do next that is concerning fans the most. And to try and answer that we can look at the identification process used to find Postecoglou. The club had chased Eddie Howe and it looked like the former Bournemouth boss was going to pitch up in the east end of Glasgow until he backed out, reportedly due to the fact he couldn’t bring his own backroom team with him.
So what happened next? "What Peter and I did on a continuous basis is put five names on the list we feel could be the manager of Celtic,” explained Desmond in April last year as Postecoglou closed in on his first Scottish Premiership title. “We always had a list of five. In this case we had a list of five and Ange was on the list.
“I had no idea who Ange was, I couldn't pronounce his name. Peter was insistent he was a person we should put on the list, that he had a great record. We pursued another manager (Howe) in public. He was excellent to deal with, a person of ability and integrity, I couldn't say enough good things about him. But, unfortunately, for personal reasons, he couldn't take up the position. That happened at 12.30 on a Thursday and I made arrangements to speak with Ange at 5 o'clock UK time.
"I should say, prior to that, I researched quite a bit about Ange and what he'd achieved, what his type of personality is. I watched that Craig Foster interview several times, that showed me his determination, integrity, passion and individualism. And that he was a leader, he was a general. I was very pleased to interview Ange."
READ NEXT
