ANGE POSTECOGLOU had no intention of hogging all the glory at the PFA Awards last weekend when he was named the manager of the year for the second time in a row.
The Australian has just won back to back titles with Celtic and is on the brink of a treble should the Hoops beat Inverness at Hampden in June.
It’s been a remarkable 24 months for the club and the Celtic manager who came in at a time when Celtic were on their knees after the horrific Covid season.
Two men who lived that season were John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan. The coaching duo were pillared for their involvement with Neil Lennon during the shocker of a season.
Lots of the support wanted to see John and Gavin move on after that season with a new manager bringing in his own staff.
Ange Postecoglou came over to Celtic himself, with no staff and made it clear he would work the coaches already there, but would implement changes if he felt it was needed.
Since then, the pair have been instrumental for Ange who can’t say enough good things about them.
Ange revealed John heads up the football department at the club and was full of praise for him during his PFA interview:
“They have been outstanding,” Postecoglou told The Glasgow Times. “I know I’m the frontman and the manager is the one who gets the recognition, but these things are really recognition for the whole group. I have an outstanding staff here.
“The football department is led by John Kennedy, who is just an outstanding person and coach and leader.
“There is also the rest of the different departments, the analysts, the sports science and medical staff, they have all played their roles.
“We have the best people involved at all levels. I’ve got a tremendous group around me.
“It’s not all about the players. They have been outstanding, but I’d think they would be the first ones to say it’s not just about them, it’s about everyone behind the scenes as well at all levels.
“They help them to perform to the levels they have this season and share in the rewards.”
It’s great to see John excelling again. He’s worked under many Celtic managers and held different positions throughout the club since having to retire early from playing due to injury.
The coaches get it in the neck when things aren’t going well, but they’re rarely mentioned when we’re on top. It’s great to see Ange put that into focus.
