Celtic manager frontrunner revealed after Ange Postecoglou development
Roberto Martinez is currently the front-runner to be named as the next permanent Celtic manager, sources have told Football Insider.
The Bhoys are not set to confirm their next appointment until the summer, but Martinez is currently at the forefront of the board’s thinking, despite there being plenty of candidates for the role.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Ange Postecoglou is on Celtic’s list of targets, but it is Martinez who is beginning to emerge as the number one option at the moment.
The Belgian is set to lead the Portuguese national team at the upcoming World Cup, but could then become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the tournament, and that has piqued Celtic’s interest of late.
Celtic board prefer fresh option in Roberto Martinez
Football Insider revealed last week that Celtic view Martinez’s potential appointment as a “big coup,” and as a result, they are willing to wait until after the World Cup to try and land him.
The Glasgow giants have no shortage of attractive options as they continue their search for a new boss, with Postecoglou already boasting two Premiership titles to his name from his previous stint in charge.
There have also been links to the likes of Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou, who has overseen an impressive first half of the season at Fir Park.
Martinez is widely regarded as one of the best managers in the business, having been trusted to lead both Portugal and Belgium with the aim of securing major international honours.
World Cup and European Championship glory have eluded him so far, but that has done little to diminish his reputation, and Celtic clearly view him as a big catch if they could tempt him into making the move to Parkhead.
The 52-year-old has been away from club management since 2016, but Celtic are hoping that he is ready to scratch the itch of day-to-day management once again, in a move that could bring fresh ideas to Celtic Park.
Celtic set for late January spending spree
Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider on Wednesday that Celtic could be set for a spending spree in the latter stages of the January window.
Wyness insisted that Martin O’Neill has enough power to demand backing from Dermot Desmond and the hierarchy at Parkhead, even though he is only an interim manager.
The former boardroom player suggested that Celtic have grown complacent in recent years, and that has allowed Rangers and Hearts to close the gap to them, prompting a potentially nerve-wracking title race for all involved.
However, any further additions made this month must be made with a long-term view in mind, given that O’Neill only has a few months remaining before he hands over the reins once again.