The Scottish FA chief executive has no concerns about Steve Clarke being lured away by Celtic with the former Kilmarnock manager ‘desperate’ to lead his country a World Cup and a European Championships.
While not quite as exotic as Kjetil Knutsen or as intriguing as Enzo Maresca, the highly-experienced Steve Clarke has still emerged as a name in the frame for a Celtic side coming to terms with the loss of their talismanic head coach to the bright lights of the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou, after five trophies in two seasons, after countless brilliant signings and after some of the finest football Celtic fans have witnessed since Martin O’Neill’s heyday, was confirmed as Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach this week.
Scottish FA chief Ian Maxwell, however, is relaxed about suggestions that the perennial Premiership champions could come calling for a man who guided the country to their first major tournament in 22 years back in 2020.
Who will replace Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager?
“(Clarke) is desperate to get us to the Euros and a World Cup,” Maxwell says, via The National.
“They had the success of 2020 at the Euros (played without full capacity stadia due to the COVID pandemic). So to do that under more normal circumstances would be fantastic.”
59-year-old Clarke, who’s Scotland side bowed out in the group stages at Euro 2020 despite holding auld rivals England to a draw at Wembley, signed a new contract with the national team only a few months ago.
“We extended him just before the March games,” Maxwell adds. “So I think it was a bit of a masterstroke by the board.
“We’re absolutely delighted (with Clarke). He’s done great. They’re over in Spain just now preparing for the June games. We’re giving them as much support as we can to make sure they’re ready.”
Is Enzo Maresca the favourite?
According to the Daily Record, Celtic have concerns over hiring long-time target Jesse Marsch on the back of poor spells at RB Leipzig and Leeds United, while Brendan Rodgers does not appear to have the appetite for a controversial return to Parkhead.
Maresca, coach of Manchester City’s U23 side, is emerging as perhaps the most likely candidate. Especially with Kjetil Knutsen committing his future to Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.
“I want to strongly emphasise that it takes a lot for me to leave in the middle of a season,” Knutsen told TV2 after Bodo/Glimt celebrated their eighth straight win over the weekend.
“Right now, the place I am in is an incredibly good place to be.
“What I can say about my focus is that it is always here,” Knutsen adds. “The fact that you are in the middle of a season, where there are many exciting tasks ahead of you, must be my focus.
“I have to show that to the players and everyone who works at the club every single day. That’s what I do. And I have shown that over time, that (focusing on the task in hand) is the most important thing.”
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