Enzo Maresca remains a major contender to replace Ange Postecoglou at Celtic - but Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna could also come into the equation
The Celtic hierarchy have now ramped up their search after their treble-winning boss made the move to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Assistant coaches John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan look set to join the Australian at Spurs. It is set to leave the Scottish champions with a major void to fill. They are currently considering options and taking applications.
Record Sport revealed yesterday that the Manchester City assistant coach Maresca was on the radar of the Parkhead board. English Championship new boys Leicester City are also keen on Maresca and could provide competition to any Celtic move. Spanish sources have confirmed that the 43-year-old, though, is keen to step back into frontline management. Nothing official is likely to happen before Saturday’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. The Celtic board are looking at a number of options and one of them is Ipswich boss McKenna.
The 37-year-old has just led Ipswich to promotion to the English Championship. The former Manchester United coach’s teams play in a similar style to Postecoglou.
McKenna has previously coached at the academies of Tottenham and United before he moved to the Old Trafford first-team. He took charge of Ipswich back in 2021.
Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter has also been linked with the vacant position as has Bodo Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen. Dutch giants Ajax want to speak to Knutsen and so far have been unable to nail down talks and there doubts Celtic would end up in a similar situation.
He has already impressed playing against the Hoops in Europe. Brendan Rodgers had initially been the early favourite but a Parkhead return looks increasingly unlikely, but not impossible.
