Former Premier League owner Simon Jordan believes Celtic have no chance of replacing Neil Lennon with a big-name manager like Rafael Benitez, as he told talkSPORT (24 February, 11.30am).
Lennon may believe that the 2019/20 season is ‘not the unmitigated disaster that everyone makes it out to be’ but you would be hard pressed to find many Hoops fans who agree with that rose-tinted perspective.
Celtic’s Champions League adventure ended before it even got going in August – outclassed and out-thought by Ferencvaros in the qualifiers.
Their Europa League campaign proved to be equally disastrous, picking up just four points from a possible 18 while conceding the joint-most goals in the entire competition (19, along with Ludogorets and Dundalk).
This is without mentioning a dismal title defence; their ten-in-a-row dreams shattering as Old Firm rivals Rangers canter to glory.
If Celtic supporters were holding out hope for a proven, top-level tactician to take Lennon’s place – a la a Roberto Martinez or an out-of-work Benitez – Jordan believes a dose of harsh reality is required.
“Every single appointment is very important for Celtic. The nature of their rivalry with Rangers and the re-emergence of Rangers, (getting this decision right) has now become even more prevalent,” said the former Crystal Palace chief.
“It is about what they do next, and it will be very interesting as one of the things that could preclude them from getting really big names is budget.
“I can’t see a Benitez coming because Benitez likes a big bag of money.”
According to the Independent, Celtic’s revenues have dropped by a staggering £40 million recently; the worrying by-product of COVID restrictions and dreadful performances in Europe.
You would need to have the imagination of Terry Pratchett to envisage Benitez, a former Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Inter Milan boss, handing out tactical instructions to Nir Bitton next season.
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