The wait for a new manager at Celtic is growing ever longer. For now, it seems as though the hierarchy are poised to wait patiently and give John Kennedy the reins until the end of the season.
Considering the Hoops no longer have anything to play for, it’s a smart tactic. That being said, however good the job that Kennedy does, they must find a more established name in the game to succeed Neil Lennon.
A number of managers have been linked in the last couple of months from Roberto Martinez, Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez.
That being said, there is one name who has been talked about more than any other - Eddie Howe.
The former Bournemouth boss was first linked with taking over in November but nothing has materialised greatly since. That was until recent days, when Football Insider revealed that contact had been made with the 43-year-old in a bid to bring him to Parkhead.
Considering his little experience at the top level, it would be somewhat of a gamble from the Celtic hierarchy. However, if they’re looking for fresh ideas and a modern approach on football, he’d be the ideal man.
Certainly, if you heed the words of Alex McLeish, it would be a very exciting move. He commented this week: “Maybe a kind of Brendan Rodgers type of manager. Is Eddie Howe is seen as that kind of coach? Yes, and I would say that’s the type of name they should be linked with.”
Howe achieved impressive things with Bournemouth, taking them from League Two to the Premier League and, despite the fact that he hasn't won a major trophy, he’s definitely someone the likes of Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell should be considering.
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Lennon’s coaching methods clearly didn’t go down well at Lennoxtown. He may have won the treble last season but this term has been a complete write-off. In fact, it was remarkable that he didn’t leave his post earlier.
They are 20 points behind Rangers and have surrendered their grasp on the Premiership title. You can understand, therefore, why they’d want to chase a manager of Rodgers’ ilk.
He won seven major honours at Parkhead, playing a pivotal part in their immense decade of success. It was his modern approach to training which undoubtedly benefited the Hoops. He was excellent on the training pitch, so much so that Lennon still used aspects of his approach.
Coincidentally, the training pitch is an area where Howe thrives too.
Speaking about the ex-Cherries manager in 2020, Brett Pitman remarked: “It wouldn’t just be ‘do you want to do a session’ and a coach would be there. He [Howe] would be the one taking it, with all his staff – that is special. People might think that is a norm in football but it really isn’t. It is what makes him different."
The Celtic players need someone who is going to come in and grab them by the scruff of the neck and get them working harder in training. It could just prove game-changing, especially for a team who have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and have been lax defensively.
Howe’s record isn’t the best but his methods are meticulous. Celtic are right to step up their efforts to bring him to Glasgow.