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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Kewell joins Celtic as first-team coach as McManus moves to B Team

Kewell joins Celtic as first-team coach as McManus moves to B Team

HARRY KEWELL has joined Celtic as a first-team coach.

The Australian football legend has joined Ange Postecoglou's backroom team at Parkhead ahead of the new season.

Kewell's appointment to the first-team staff sees an "important restructure" of the staffing as Stephen McManus moves to work with the Celtic B Team.

Kewell has taken on the role after various management positions in England and a Champions League winning playing career with Liverpool.

The 43-year-old worked with Watford under-23s before management spells with Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet.

On Kewell's appointment, Postecoglou commented: “I am really pleased that Harry has agreed to join my staff. He knows the game inside out at the highest level and wants to play football the way myself and my team see it. I know he is hugely excited about joining Celtic, he is well aware of the scale of the club, what our ambitions are and I know he will make a really positive difference to my team.

“I was keen to restructure our coaching set up, a critical part of this was having a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures - and Stephen’s role will also be hugely important for us as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team, directly up to the first team.  

“The B Team will again compete in the Lowland League, something which will be a crucial development opportunity for our young players as they aim to progress and advance further. I wanted a really strong connection to the development of our B Team and Stephen, with his knowledge of our current first-team philosophy and demands will be ideal in this role.”

Kewell added: “It is a massive honour to join Celtic and team up with Ange. He and his backroom team and the players have done brilliantly in their first year together, producing winning football in a great style. To turn things around and become Champions so quickly is a huge testament to Ange and everyone else at the club.   

“The manager is synonymous with attacking, exciting football, something he delivered on last season and something I know Celtic fans have loved right across the generations.  We will be aiming to give our fans more of the same going forward and I look forward to playing my part in bringing this to our supporters.  

“Celtic is a club the whole world knows and admires and it will be a privilege to be part of such a fantastic footballing institution. I am well aware of the demands and responsibility which comes with the territory at such a massive club and this is something which excites me and I am sure everyone else lucky enough to be associated with Celtic.

“I can’t wait to join up with Ange, the coaching staff and players for the challenges ahead and hope to play my part in our future success.

“I’m ready to work and am really looking forward to getting started.”

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