While Celtic recently announced Martin O’Neill as the manager for next season, questions remain over his backroom staff setup.
Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringam supported O’Neill as the Hoops secured the league and Scottish Cup last season.
That has led to much discussion within the support. It seems like O’Neill is already being let down by the hierarchy. He will need backing in the transfer market, but his staff are equally important.
The trio leaned on each other and eventually got the best out of the squad. The trust and understanding are clearly there, so for their futures to remain unclear ahead of the summer rebuild has shown warning signs already.
Speaking on CeltsAreHere Extra Time, Mark Hendry says the board would be making a blunder by not keeping two key coaches. He said:
“To ask the duo to take pay cuts, if reports are to be believed, is a huge misstep from a Celtic board already optically under pressure. Consistency is key and the backroom group, alongside O’Neill, are a proven commodity.
“It could be argued, on the other side of the same coin, that the one year deal signed by O’Neill is perhaps not enough security for Fotheringham who has been a head coach in his own right in both Germany and England.”
Perhaps the lack of security is proving to be an obstacle in tying Fotheringham down on a permanent deal.
As for Maloney, his situation is different. Hendry continued:
“Maloney, too, already has a pathways role at Parkhead to fall back on and might even have a bigger job down the line if he does indeed land the head of football operations gig.
“But both men deserve respect and recognition for their efforts last season and should be financially compensated the way a Double-winning team should be.
“Supporting O’Neill means more than just signing a handful of new bodies in the summer. Celtic shouldn’t fathom breaking up a winning staff.”
That last line sums up the situation. Why break a winning formula, especially ahead of a significant restructure of the playing squad?
The transfer window is now officially opened. Attention should now be fully on recruitment, rather than leaving question marks over the future of the coaching staff.
Not surprised by this farce O’Neil must insist get the 2 signed up and offer a decent salary. When you see the salary of the ceo at celtic and other directors the club only turns over around £140/150 million per year why is the ceo paid so much and I would expect nice pension contributions share options etc” and we have them trying to get the coaches on the cheap nasty people.