Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’ departure just ahead of us ticking into the month of November came as a surprise to many Hoops fans even though we were all well aware (and had been for a long time) that there were significant issues going on behind the scenes, but we all thought he would see the season out at the very least.
The serial winning 52 year old Rodgers had long made his thoughts known about his dissatisfaction at the clubs’ transfer business in quite a few windows since he returned to the club, and whilst the fans themselves have made their own thoughts known, it is only right to say that Dermot Desmond was not shy in coming forward with his own thoughts here, and that in itself was pretty much unexpected as well.
For those fans who like a flutter it is unlikely they capitalised on that and they will more likely be looking at a $10 payid casino no deposit bonus Australia to boost their gaming pot. But here we are heading towards the New Year with an even more successful 73 year old returning Martin O’Neill.
Five odd months shy of almost 20 years to the day when he last left us, the Northern Irishman returns to Parkhead in a temporary role to provide some stability as we search for the next man to take us forward, and as expected he has had an immediate impact picking up two wins from his opening three games.
Whilst there will be those who feel he should be the permanent appointment, that just is not feasible and it is believed that our Board now has a firm shortlist of eight potential gaffers for the role. Whilst there are some obvious and very familiar faces on that reported list, former Mexican World Cup star Efrain Juarez is certainly the unexpected dark horse there.
Having had a pretty unsuccessful two year spell with us back in 2010, the 37 year old former right back currently manages UNAM Pumas in his native homeland, and he has previously won the league and cup double with Colombian giants Atletico Nacional and it seems that our decision makers feel that he could be ready to make the step up.
Fans may be intrigued by that idea but he is not the only unexpected name to be given a name check by various media outlets. Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna has long featured as a possible option, as has Welsh gaffer Craig Bellamy but they have both basically ruled themselves out. Bodo Glimt gaffer Kjetil Knutsen gets a mention, as does Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy and even Ferencvaros’s Robbie Keane is being spoken highly about.
Whilst Juarez would be the clear and obvious risky move, the potential substance does go a little bit deeper than his 21 appearances in our colours. He served as assistant manager to former gaffer Ronny Deila at New York City (MLS title win), Standard Liege and Club Brugge before he broke out on his own and his stock is clearly on the rise. He speaks five languages and he is on record as saying that one day he would love to return to Scotland and make our dug out his own.
We will have to see what comes of it, but at the moment we seem to be in no rush to bring O’Neill’s spell to a close just yet.
