ANGE POSTECOGLOU won’t stand in John Kennedy’s way should he wish to move into management, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if clubs were interested in his ‘outstanding’ assistant coach.
The Celtic manager was addressing speculation linking Kennedy with a move to FC Midtjylland, who have been credited with an interest in appointing the 38-year-old as head coach of their first team following the departure of Bo Henriksen in July.
Kennedy is believed to be on the Danish side’s shortlist, and Postecoglou says that he will afford the former Celtic centre-back the same respect as any of his current players, and would never stop anyone from leaving the club if they wished to explore other opportunities.
“I don’t think that way mate,” Postecoglou said. “It’s like the players and staff, if they do well there may be other opportunities for them.
“It’s not down to me, their futures are in their own hands. At the moment John is a key contributor here and he’s really happy with what he’s doing. But what the future holds for him, or anyone else for that matter, is up to him.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s interest in him. He’s a Celtic man through and through but having had an unfortunate end to his playing career he’s made a concerted effort to get as many skills and learning experiences as possible.
“He’s worked in the academy and the first team in various roles. He’s worked under some fantastic managers; present company excluded obviously!
“Should he want to move to the next phase of being a manager – and you’d have to ask him that – then he’d be an outstanding candidate.
“But he’s a really important part of our set up here. He leads many of the footballing areas for me and he’s done a fantastic job in my time here.”
