Chris Sutton believes Celtic do not need to look far and wide in their search for a new permanent manager, insisting the right man for the job is already working in the Scottish Premiership.
The former Celtic striker was on commentary duty in midweek as Motherwell outplayed Rangers, but could only manage a point after Stephen Welsh grabbed the equaliser for the home side. But it was Motherwell’s overall performance that really caught his attention.
Celtic’s managerial situation has been anything but straightforward this season.
Brendan Rodgers handed in a shock resignation in October, prompting Martin O’Neill to step in on a temporary basis. The club then moved to appoint Wilfried Nancy, but that decision unravelled quickly. A run of poor results, including 12 dropped league points, led to his dismissal, and O’Neill was once again asked to steady the ship until the end of the campaign.
With the summer approaching, Celtic are expected to make another attempt at a long-term appointment. Names have circulated, including Roberto Martínez, who is set to leave his role with Portugal after the World Cup and has close ties to Celtic coach Shaun Maloney from their time together with Belgium.
Sutton, however, is convinced the answer is much closer to home. Writing in the Record Sport, he said he believes Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou would be an outstanding fit for Celtic.
“I’m now convinced Jens Berthel Askou would be a great fit for Celtic.
“You want his Motherwell team, and you can’t help but be impressed. They are arguably the best side to watch in the country.
“He’s managed to build a team that is solid defensively, superbly maintains possession and creates chances – and all on a fraction of the money spent at other clubs.
“It’s been a remarkable job. I’ve never seen a Scottish team do what Motherwell has done this season – and that’s dominate against Celtic and Rangers.
“Usually tams set up to try to stop the Glasgow clubs playing. Instead it’s been the other way around this year.
“I’ve also been impressed with the way he communicates in the media. He just ticks so many boxes for me.
“It’s hard to know what Dermot Desmond will be thinking as he’s shown in the past he’s capable of making bold, big name appointments, like Brendan Rodgers and O’Neill first time around.
“There’s been a lot of talk around Martinez, and that’s been there for a number of years now.
“But I just think there is a guy on Celtic’s doorstep who is showing a lot of positive attributes to be a success at the club.
“It would be fascinating to see how he would do with more resources.”
Whether Celtic look abroad again or turn to a standout performer within the league remains to be seen. But, in Sutton’s eyes, the next Celtic manager may already be proving himself every week, just down the road.
great when your hero agrees with you guys brought a style most players are comfirtable with and most teams find it hard but bieng manager of a team thats taken other teams by suprise with Celtic there no suprise the park the bus and he’d find it hard to finding space but if sutton sees him as candidate for the job good
Jens is noo a ‘yes Man’. So wouldn’t suit CFC PLC’s ‘Spend a pennie, save a pound’ tightwad practices.
When ‘Tha Celtic daddies sugars spilt’ who would bother tae pick it up?
Mibbie hiz son Jesus? or tha other ‘Horse Men of tha Apocalypse’.