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Sources: Howe reaches verbal agreement with Celtic and this is when he may be appointed
Eddie Howe has reached a verbal agreement to become the next Celtic manager, Football Insider has learned.
The 43-year-old has held talks in London this week with Hoops powerbroker Dermot Desmond and has been offered the chance to succeed Neil Lennon.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider that Howe has indicated he will take on the role and is ready to put pen to paper.
He is now in line to be appointed the club’s next manager within days, most likely early next week.
Howe has been given assurances by Desmond and the Celtic board there will be funds to revamp a squad that has been left trailing in the wake of champions Rangers this season.
The former Bournemouth manager was first linked with the Glasgow giants last November when Lennon started coming under major fire from supporters.
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Football Insider revealed early last month that Howe was interested in the post and Celtic had made contact to assess his potential interest in the role.
He has been linked with the Crystal Palace post amid major doubts over Roy Hodgson’s future, as well as Newcastle United to a lesser extent.
Football Insider broke the news last Thursday (25th March) that Roy Keane had been in talks with the club before revealing on Friday (26th March) he held a formal interview with club chiefs earlier in the week.
But there was a backlash from supporters even though his credentials have been strongly pushed by Martin O’Neill.
Celtic’s priority has been to appoint a manager with a proven track record in developing and improving players on the training ground, especially young talent.
Howe would fit the bill given his track record at Bournemouth, who he led to a remarkable three promotions and also established them as a Premier League club for five years.
Lennon resigned as Celtic manager at the end of February, with John Kennedy placed in interim charge while the club set their sights on a new permanent boss.
Kennedy was the early bookmakers’ favourite to secure the job but that has looked less and less likely while the club have pursued a big name.
In other news, Celtic have been blasted by McAvennie for “crazy” treatment of brilliant youngster and he can’t believe the club have let him go.