Simon Jordan says Martin O’Neill should help find new Celtic manager
Simon Jordan believes Martin O’Neill could have an important influence over Celtic’s next managerial appointment if the veteran boss decides to bring his latest spell in charge to an end.
O’Neill’s future has come under renewed scrutiny after the 74-year-old publicly raised doubts over his position in the aftermath of Celtic’s latest derby defeat.
Jordan, who knows O’Neill personally, believes his experience and understanding of the demands at Parkhead could make him a valuable figure in the process of identifying a successor. Speaking on Talksport, ex-Celtic striker Mark McGhee said that O’Neill should have been offered an alternative role at the club which Jordan railed against.
“I think at the end of last season, Martin should have went upstairs and should have become the director of football, and he could have mentored in a new, young manager with energy to take the club forward.”
Jordan rejected the director-of-football suggestion:
“I don’t think he is, I don’t think Martin is in that space. So, I think what you are talking about is tokenism. Martin doesn’t want tokenism.”
But Jordan believes O’Neill could help Celtic select his eventual replacement.
“What Martin could be involved in is a recruitment process that brings in a successor.”
There is currently no indication that an immediate change is being planned, unless O’Neill decides himself to step away. Chief Exec and MIA Michael Nicholson offered public backing hidden away in the release of Celtic’s annual results.
Nevertheless, succession planning will inevitably remain on the agenda. The fear for Celtic supporters is that the club will not act upon this as has been exemplified by the decision to appoint O’Neill in the summer.
O’Neill initially returned to steady Celtic during a turbulent period (twice) and subsequently delivered domestic success before agreeing to remain in charge on a longer-term basis. Celtic knew in January that they had to find a new manager but the options were either MON or Robbie Keane, who was not a popular choice with fans.
Celtic could have provided an opportunity to O’Neill to move onto the board as part of the reshuffle where he’d have been able to exert his influence in another way. This would have allowed Celtic to get a modern manager in situ to help develop the club.
Celtic will be seeking an appointment capable of restoring stability and providing a clear long-term direction after an unusually turbulent period in the Parkhead dugout. The club have been silent on this but they could improve fan engagement, as ex-CEO Dom McKay promised, and tell fans what’s going on.
