Celtic Hold Talks Over O’Neill Assistant And Future Manager Plan

By
Michael Shearer
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Former Celtic defender Efraín Juárez has reportedly been linked with a return to the club as part of Martin O’Neill’s coaching staff.

According to Mexican outlet JuanFutbol, Celtic have held talks with Juárez over a possible return to Glasgow, with the 38-year-old potentially joining the backroom team before reportedly succeeding O’Neill.

It is a very interesting claim, especially given O’Neill’s own situation.

The Irishman has only just been confirmed as Celtic manager on a one-year deal, with the option of a further season. That has naturally led to questions over what the club’s longer-term plan looks like beyond the immediate campaign.

Juárez, who played for Celtic after joining from Pumas in 2010, has been building his coaching career since hanging up his boots.

He recently left Pumas and is reportedly open to returning to European football, with the suggestion being that Celtic could offer him a pathway back into the club in a coaching capacity.

The report claims the idea would be for Juárez to work under O’Neill initially, gain experience inside the current set-up, and potentially be considered for a bigger role further down the line.

At this stage, that should be treated as a report rather than anything confirmed.

But it does add another layer to Celtic’s current backroom situation.

Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham were both part of O’Neill’s staff during the run-in last season, helping Celtic recover from a difficult position and finish the campaign with the league title and Scottish Cup.

However, their futures have still not been officially confirmed.

O’Neill has spoken warmly about both men, and many supporters would like to see that continuity kept in place. After the way last season ended, it would make sense for the manager to have people around him he already knows and trusts.

What any reported Juárez interest means for Maloney and Fotheringham remains to be seen.


It could simply be Celtic exploring additional coaching options. It could also be part of wider planning for the future.

For now, nothing is official, and supporters are still waiting for clarity on who will make up O’Neill’s coaching staff.

Now the next question is who stands beside him.

1 COMMENT

  1. media hammering Celtic everything the cheap opsition yet the Rangers cant do anything they are going for hearts manager is that not a cheap opsition some of the stories your reading these stories are’nt coming out of Celtic park they stopped all those leaks but reporters are just shit at the wall see if it sticks transfer window opens and the Rangers dont have a manager but they are signed a new team

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