Eddie Howe has finally opened up on what happened this summer between him and Celtic. With the 43-year-old coach heavily linked to join the Hoops in the off-season.
Speaking to the press via the Daily Record at his welcome press conference as the new manager of Newcastle United, the Howe revealed why the proposed move to Celtic fell through.
The former Bournemouth manager was heavily linked with the Hoops in the summer. However, Howe never took over, with Ange Postecoglou eventually being hired to take over Celtic as a replacement for Neil Lennon.
The Premier League manager was once the favourite for the Celtic job. And according to Howe, the reason he didn’t take the job was because he was unable to put together the backroom team he wanted.
Howe said when asked about Celtic: “I haven’t spoken publicly on it because there have been a lot of things said that have been untrue. I couldn’t get my backroom team together to go to Celtic for a host of different reasons.
The Newcastle manager added: “I didn’t want to take a job of such size, and knowing the job needing to be done, on my own. I knew what was needed. So, there was no change of mind, I was open and honest with everyone connected with the club. Celtic were absolutely brilliant and I was open and honest all the way through.”
Howe openness can finally put Celtic saga to bed
Howe to Celtic was one of the most drawn-out, and eventually, most pointless sagas of the entire summer. Yet these comments from the new Newcastle coach can finally put the tale to bed with a satisfying ending.
With the former Bournemouth coach now tasked with managing Newcastle, Celtic fans can now move on from the episode. With Postecoglou aiming to take the Hoops back to the top of the Scottish game this season.
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