After the way Celtic’s move for Eddie Howe collapsed just over a week ago, the Hoops hierarchy need to be cautious with their next moves.
The Bhoys have been in advanced talks with Ange Postecoglou with personal terms reportedly agreed but they’d be foolish if they didn’t have a contingency plan in place.
After all, the Australian currently lacks the necessary coaching badges which has resulted in the deal being held up.
Celtic have sought an exemption from UEFA to allow him to become the new manager but the Hoops have other irons in the fire in case things go south again.
The Daily Record reported last week that the Bhoys had held tentative talks with Rui Faria, the man who for so long was Jose Mourinho’s assistant.
Faria is reportedly keen on the move but unfortunately for him, Postecoglou is still the front runner.
He has little experience of being a manager himself but it’s hard to deny his CV and what he could bring to Celtic.
Having been under the wing of Mourinho for so long, he will have developed not only a winning mentality but also a method for how football should be played.
He was the Portuguese’s number two at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United before being handed his first managerial gig with Al-Duhail.
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The 45-year-old has been credited as a “football expert” by Mourinho and when you consider their nearly 20-year long relationship it’s clear to see why.
There are few greater tutors than the multiple Champions League winner but Faria could bring his own style and thought process to Celtic.
His background is in strength and conditioning, being named Leira’s fitness manager under the stewardship of Mourinho during his first gig back in 2001.
From there, Faria has developed an understanding of the physical demands applied to modern-day footballers and what they need in order to succeed.
This method could be incredibly beneficial when you consider the sheer number of games Celtic have to play across a single season.
Their campaign will get underway on either the 20th or 21st July when they begin their Champions League quest in the second qualifying round.
Celtic will have to play six matches in order to reach the group stages and consequently, players will be incredibly tired before the domestic campaign has even begun.
Throw in the fact that Celtic have a number of players at the European Championships and it only adds further strain to their legs heading into the new season.
A normal manager would have to manage this carefully but for someone like Faria, he’d be an expert in tailoring rest and recuperation periods so early into a new term.
Bearing this in mind, it’s certainly a smart idea for Celtic to consider a manager like Faria.