Celtic should make ambitious Renato Sanches bid if Willy Sagnol arrives

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Willy Sagnol is reportedly interested in landing the Celtic job in the summer, and he should look to use his connections if he does arrive.

While Neil Lennon looks to be the overwhelming favourite to be the Celtic boss next season, Willy Sagnol has looked to throw a spanner in the works with his representative telling The Scottish Sun that he plans to apply for the Hoops job in the summer.

It would be a surprise if Sagnol got the job. Lennon has kept Celtic on course to win yet another domestic treble, and it would be incredibly difficult for the Bhoys board to look elsewhere.

The former France international’s only previous managerial job came at Bordeaux. He has also worked at Bayern Munich as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant and took charge of one game when the Italian was dismissed by the Bavarian club.

Celtic’s hierarchy may want to weigh up their options when the campaign concludes. While Lennon has done well, there have been concerns about a couple of the performances, and there did not seem to be many who felt overly disappointed when he left the club the first time round.

Sagnol would be an underdog. But there may well be a plus point to appointing the retired full-back, and that would perhaps be his connections to Bayern, a club where former players are integral to the club’s structure.

And if Sagnol was appointed and could use his contacts with the Bundesliga club, then perhaps Celtic should target an ambitious move for one player who had somewhat lost his way after being considered one of the most talented prospects in Europe.

The Daily Mail reports that Bayern plan to loan out £28 million midfielder Renato Sanches to ensure that he gets regular game-time next season. He has featured for Bayern this year, but predominantly as a substitute.

Of course, Celtic would face a tough battle trying to get a player with Sanches’ reputation through the Parkhead door. But given that they can offer Champions League football, and will certainly be able to make him a key player within the team, perhaps appointing someone like Sagnol could give the Hoops the chance.

Celtic should obviously not appoint a manager only because of the connections they may have. But if the board decide that Sagnol is the man they want, then someone like Sanches should be the kind of ambitious target that Celtic also look at now that he is reportedly available.