The season of 2020/21 has been desperately unkind to Celtic. Their form has gone out the window with any hope of winning ten in a row eradicated before it could even become a reality.
They are 18 points off top spot and are now searching for a new manager following Neil Lennon’s resignation.
One man who reportedly wants the job is former Huddersfield boss David Wagner. He is a free agent after being sacked by Schalke towards the beginning of the season but would surely offer plenty to the Hoops.
For starters, he favours a pressing style of football, something that sees his players attempt to win the ball back within a matter of seconds of losing it. Wagner also prefers to play on the offensive which will no doubt be eye-catching to the Celtic hierarchy.
We’ve already looked at how his methods could benefit the Bhoys but he could also be a positive for Jonjoe Kenny.
The 5 foot 9 right-back was signed on loan from Everton in the January transfer window but his asking price is now plummeting due the amount of time left on his contract at Goodison Park. Thus, there is a possibility that he returns to Glasgow next season.
By hiring Wagner they could enhance the chances of bringing him back to Parkhead and thus, forge a menacing partnership.
After all, the duo rustled up quite the enterprise when Kenny spent the 2019/20 campaign in the Bundesliga with Schalke.
The full-back enjoyed a very good campaign under Wagner where he featured 34 times, scoring two goals and assisting a further three.
[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news" title="The last stories on Celtic's hunt for a new manager!"]
The 49-year-old only had praise for the Englishman at the start of his loan spell. Speaking in September 2019, Wagner commented: “I had a good picture of Jonjoe and, after I joined Schalke, we all together agreed that we had to sign a right-back.
“As soon as I found that we were not able to afford someone to buy because of our financial restrictions, Jonjoe was one of the first names I put on the table when I discussed [targets] with our board. Luckily, they agreed to try to sign him and luckily he decided to join our football club.”
Wagner concluded: “I can tell you what, he is already close to becoming a fan favourite here in our stadium. He has done an amazing job so far and scored a wonderful goal against [Hertha] Berlin. He is, for sure, one of the best signings which we have made this summer.”
Fine words indeed. Kenny is yet to see his Celtic career take off but under Wagner, that could change.
The pair seemed to really understand each other during their season together as the German made him one of the most impressive young defenders in the Bundesliga.
The youngster won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for August and was subsequently among the nominees for the Rookie of the Year award.
It was a stellar campaign that unfortunately, he’s not been able to build upon. Wagner already rates him highly so it could be a flourishing dynamic if he’s signed permanently and the aforementioned manager walks through the door.
Dermot Desmond needs to consider it; there are surely only benefits to putting the two together.