Harald Brattbakk reckons a Brendan Rodgers return can prevent the same dramatic disruption at Celtic as happened to his squad when Wim Jansen suddenly quit.
The former Parkhead striker believes continuity is crucial in smoothing the club’s latest big managerial transition. Ange Postecoglou’s defection to Tottenham just three days after winning the Treble was a huge blow to the squad, most of whom were signed by the Aussie.
Brattbakk knows exactly how the players will be feeling. He was taken to Glasgow by Jansen, only for the boss to leave just a couple of days after the Norwegian attacker had scored the decisive goal against St Johnstone to win a title and ensure the Dutchman stopped Rangers winning 10 in a row in 1998. Following the departure of Jansen and his assistant Murdo MacLeod, Celts won nothing the following season.
Brattbakk, though, is confident a return to the club for Rodgers would be a huge positive in terms of easing that worry and strain. Naturally, his controversial departure to Leicester in the February of 2019 brought anger from fans. But Rodgers constantly won silverware with seven domestic trophies secured out of seven.
Brattbakk himself disproved the theory of never go back with three successful spells at Rosenborg and two at Bodo/Glimt. He said: “When I did that as a player, it wasn’t tricky. It wasn’t a challenge.
“I always came back to clubs where I knew what was going on. Rodgers left in 2019. That is only four years ago so it should be OK. I would not be concerned about him coming back and doing a good job.
“If the squad Rodgers would take over is what he wants, then there will be no problem. But if he has too many players who don’t fit into his style, then that could be a challenge.
“Every manager has their own way of looking at football. Then again, he has proved himself over many years now as a good manager. There is always disruption when a manager leaves. It all depends on the players coming in. I was part of Wim and Murdo’s plans.
“I guess a lot of the players came in to work with Ange so that could make a difference. Probably some players will move on as well.
“We had Jozef Venglos who came in and I didn’t know anything about him at that time. He wanted to pick his own players. I have had this discussion about my former club Rosenborg. They have had 17 managers in 20 years and that is far too many.
“What is really important for a club is to have a policy for when a manager leaves – they need a clear plan. From Celtic’s point of view, money doesn’t always buy you out of problems.”
While Rodgers is the outstanding candidate, Celtic have explored other names. Brattbakk is a fan of countryman Kjetil Knutsen due to the sterling work he has done with Bodo/Glimt. Knutsen’s exciting outfit hammered Postecoglou’s Celtic in Europe the season before last and also got the better of Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Brattbakk said: “He would be good because the players he can get now are within a certain budget. If he gets here, he can maybe get some players who are higher than the ones he can choose from now in Norway. That would be good.
“In terms of the style he plays in, the Scottish game has always been physical and that will maybe be his challenge because he doesn’t meet too many physical teams now. But he has proven in Europe he can play against the best ones.
“The best examples are Roma and Celtic. Bodo/Glimt out-played both. The consistency he has proved also tells me he would be a good fit.
“He has a good plan. He wasn’t very well known when he came to Bodo/Glimt but the club have done a really good job. I would be really surprised if he leaves and they don’t have a good replacement. He would definitely be replaced by someone who would fit into the system.
“That’s how it needs to be done when clubs need a manager. Knutsen is a good guy and he is really tough with the players.”
● Harald Brattbakk was promoting Viaplay’s live and exclusive coverage of Norway v Scotland and Scotland v Georgia. Viaplay is offering a special limited-time offer for Scottish fans available until June 20. Visit viaplay.com for more information.
