Francesco Farioli has emerged as a potential left-field option for a Celtic side in the market for a manager to replace the departed Ange Postecoglou.
We did wonder, when Tuttomercatoweb reported earlier on Wednesday that the 34-year-old Italian had admires in Scotland, if Celtic were perhaps the club in question.
Francesco Farioli – currently out of work after leaving Turkish outfit Alanyaspor in the spring – held talks with Rangers late last year. The Ibrox outfit turned to the familiar face of Mick Beale instead, however, Steven Gerrard’s former assistant is in it for the long haul at Ibrox.
Could Celtic now be tempted to go one step further and offer one of Europe’s most intriguing young coaches his big break? Following up from TMW’s piece, another Italian-based publication – Il Secolo XIX – are reporting that Farioli is indeed under consideration by the perennial Premiership champions.
Is Francesco Farioli really an option for Celtic?
Farioli has only been a manager since 2021; taking charge of just 75 senior games during spells at Alanyaspor and Fatih Karagumruk. What he lacks in experience, however, he makes up for in potential and vision.
Farioli, who had spells working behind the scenes at Sassuolo, Benevento and at the Qatar national team before going solo in Turkey, turned Alanyaspor into arguably the most watchable side in Turkey. Their 61 per cent possession numbers were comfortably the highest in the entire Super Lig.
Farioli, as you might have guessed, prides himself upon free-flowing, attacking football. The type of which Postecoglou brought with him to Parkhead.
“I see many of the same characteristics at Arsenal (in) my own team,” Farioli told Sky Sports last year. “I will also mention Marcelo Bielsa.
“It’s important to build a team of players with passion for what they do. They must enjoy the ball, approach the game in a brave and proactive way. They need to show ambition because our demands are very high.
“I was really taken by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team. I loved that style of play.”
Farioli went on to admit that he’d be up for a fresh challenge in Scotland. Though a club with the history and expectations of Celtic is a colossal step up from a mid-table Turkish outfit.
TMW add that, in addition to Scotland, clubs in Portugal, Greece and Turkey are keen on a fresh-faced tactician. Farioli once worked alongside Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi at Sassuolo.
He was linked with Sunderland recently too. The Championship play-off semi-finalists look likely to keep the faith with Tony Mowbray instead, however.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
