It’s something which has bothered me for some time. It’s why some managers have been put off becoming the Celtic manager and it’s why others who agree to the terms look like glad-handed yes men – especially when things are going wrong.
Why, oh why, does Peter Lawwell insist on picking our manager’s assistants.
Is it a business decision? Is it to have an ear in the dressing room? Is it because he doesn’t fully trust the men he appoints?
Peter Lawwell micromanaging the football side of things baffles me. What qualifies him to pick the men who stand beside his manager? Neil Lennon was given the Celtic job on the terms he took Damien Duff and John Kennedy. While they both have their merits, they were not the manager’s choice. It’s believed Gavin Strachan was suggested to Neil but the manager had not been forthright in chasing Duff’s replacement.
Going back further, we have Roy Keane turning down the job because Ronny Deila was lined up to be his assistant, then you had Ronny Deila who took the main job because of Keane’s snub and John Collins was thrust upon him. I’d say it’s because Ronny didn’t know the city, but we all know Neil does and he still doesn’t get the option.
It’s a quirk that’s always bothered me, for better or for worse, any manager should have people he trusts around him and a team he’s confident can deliver for the fans. Ultimately, Neil lives and dies as Celtic manager by the company he keeps, so why not allow him the courtesy?
I was once told by someone close to the club, you can’t change a light bulb in Celtic Park without the big man giving it the OK. While this, from a business point of view, is a great thing. I can’t help but think, while Peter continues this kind of behaviour, he’ll warn off top people further down the line.
Brendan Rodgers was allowed to have his run of the place due to Dermot Desmond’s intervention and in the end, there was a breakdown between the board and the manager. It’s true that anyone who takes the job, under those circumstances, are the most likely people just happy to be the Celtic manager, even at a cost.
The CEO rarely allows himself to be cross examined and the AGM this year, there was less chance he could be challenged due to the pandemic.
