There is no point that I can see to Celtic “fighting” to hang onto John Kennedy. He has been at Celtic for over a decade now, and he has earned the right to move on. Unlike some people he’s never done the badge kissing bit; he does not have to. He has given us everything. He is fully entitled to leave with the best wishes of everyone at Celtic Park.
What good does it do to hang onto someone who wants to go? If we were going to fight, if we cared that much, why not fight for the manager? Because it’s a waste of time.
I know some people at Celtic harboured mad fantasies of giving Kennedy the big job one day, but we did nothing whatsoever to encourage him to take the steps away from Parkhead that might have made it possible. He’s not going to get the experience here; he has to go in order to do that.
Besides, he wants to go. I find it astonishing that a club which won’t fight to keep its best players is willing to go to do it for a mere coach. Things at this club often don’t make any sense. This is either a change of policy – which some might welcome, especially if it extends to the playing squad and a digging in of the heels – but I suspect not.
Following the manager scuttling off, what this club needs more than anything else is a proper gutting out of the place. All those not fully committed for next season and the one beyond it should be ushered to the door. Oh we should get value for all of them, and the right valuations, those that reflect their worth, but we should not hesitate to act with utter ruthlessness.
If that means a rebuild then so be it; I’m pretty much resigned to one anyway at this stage. I’m on holiday right now, writing this from a poolside bar, and perhaps its the distance that has given me a renewed sense of perspective; nevertheless, I am actually fairly relaxed about the idea that this great Celtic side might have run its course with the manager’s departure.
It might not be bad if that’s the case. It is tempting to wanting to limit the disruption, but let’s be honest, the disruption is here. I am reminded here that the Chinese language is ideographic; the symbol for crisis is a combination of the ones for danger and opportunity and that’s how we should see this. This is now a genuine crisis. But it’s also alive with possibilities.
If the need to play a similar style of football leaves us looking at third rate candidates – Maresca apparently although how can we know? The Ipswich manager? Really? At Celtic? – when what we need are seasoned, experienced pros who have won things and managed in European competition and who we know can handle the role, then that’s a pointless imposing of limits for the sake of some ideal.
I would rather we brought in a proven winner and let him decide how to get us where we need to be. A more aggressive and physical Celtic, one capable of slugging it out in a battle, as well as one that is a little more tactically flexible would not exactly be a disastrous change of pace, would it? If someone comes in and wants to rip it up and start again so be it.
He will be extraordinarily well funded in his efforts. Besides, it’s not like every single member of the first team squad will be going. There will still be a core of real talents here, players capable of doing it for us at this level and perhaps the next one too.
So Kennedy, yeah, I’d let him go. I’d drive him to the airport if that’s where he wants to go. Or if he wants to hire a mini-bus and take with him any of our dressing room mercenaries who want to follow the guy who signed them to the land of milk and honey … yeah, take them with you, as long as the big cheques for their services come back to Celtic Park.
There’s no point in pretending that we’re not facing this on some level. Kennedy wants to go, the manager knew a couple of people from the dressing room want to go, and as far as I’m concerned now they can all chip in for the private jet to their big money futures.
We don’t need that sort at Celtic Park. In fact, their presence would only hinder us in doing what needs to be done. This is real, and the longer we live in denial the harder its going to be to deal with the reality of it. We’re at the end of a cycle.
The sooner we’re on the next one the better, and that’s only possible with the players and staff who actually give a shit.
I think you need to accept that Ang was great for us and left sooner than anybody thought, if he takes some of the backroom staff with him we should wish them all the best, it doesn’t mean they are mercenaries just taking what is on offer elsewhere and in the biggest league in the world. The fishbowl we play in is toxic and it feels worse now than ever before, why would anyone want to put themselves through it for longer than they need to. I hope whoever we get in comes early and makes their mark because if not we could end up being second best, not something any of us would enjoy.
James
Spot on with John Kennedy he has earned the right to move on for the big money, he has given all in his service to Celtic.I wish him well.
As far as our team goes we certainly need a more physical team for the challenges ahead
more so on the home front,Europe will take care of itself.
Totally with you on Maresco……a coach at Man City, have Celtic never employed a coach as our manager?…
I see someone called Des Buckingham has entered the betting at 7/2 to be our boss!!!
he manages in Mumbai…….never heard of him….then again i never heard of Ange before:)
It would be Knutsen for me……..and not too disappointed if it was Moyes
HH
And you know for sure John wants to go ? Evidence please ?
Believe keeping hold of Kennedy and Strachan would be a huge mistake for the club, and even moreso if they want to move on.
If they have intentions of joining Ange, then get them out ASAP.
Not going to fault any of them for the work they have done and contributed towards the success gained, but also comes a time when refreshing the coaching staff is called for and believe that time has come now.
Also believe that they all had an idea upon Ange’s intentions and the drop off in performances followed suit.
To many of our performances have become very stale lately, which you could put down to the training sessions in operation.
Hope we are to see a total revamp within coaching and management, which in turn will keep Scottish success ongoing, but more importantly is getting far better results within European competition, as a 20 year wait remains far to long and has to be changed very soon also, hopefully starting with next season
Get him out the door another PONCE.
Wow James, put the AXE away or there will be carnage, get some shade mate lol.
Enjoy your holiday.
Ps can you take me off the naughty step as my replies are clean.
Think you’re somewhat emotional, James. I am too, but I’m not willing to see us tear everything up and start again. I don’t find that rational or any guarantee of us winning the League next season. I see the vast majority of our first choice 16 remaining and those who leave can be replaced by better versions. I’d also be careful about under-rating people like Maresca. He’s Guardiola’s # 2 so that in anyone’s book suggests he’s a valid candidate. I agree with you that John Kennedy deserves an opportunity to go elsewhere and I firmly believe some other coaches would benefit from similar moves away to gain real experience.
Apart from anything else, virtually every coach/manager wants to pick his own backroom team, so why would we waste time trying to convince someone to stay, when he than may become an obstacle to bringing in our new manager.
And is identifying our next manager not the top priority?
In fact, if we get money for backroom staff leaving, that seems like a win/win, we clear the way for the new man to create his own team and we have a wee bit extra cash to do it wee.
HH
Slavan Bilic for me, big formidable ex defender who has played and managed in some top leagues. Take no nonsense from the Bluenose press and Journos.
Broonie offered a slot back to replace Kennedy.
Agree with everything that you have said they’ll miss us before we miss them. We are Glasgow Celtic
James what happens when and if the new boss wants all his own backroom people do celtic aye ok but you have to have a place for J.K. then the guy says naw i want all my own people its bound to happen sooner or later and after 6 or so managers .
Spot on James. Waste of energy and distraction from the real task in hand -rebuilding and strengthening the team.
Enjoy your holiday James. It’s time for everyone to relax, think things through, take stock and look forward to a bright future under a new manager. Hopefully one who will improve us and make a good fist of it in the Champions League. As you say, whoever wants to go, then let them, no one is irreplaceable and we have and will have the finances to do that. It is going to be an exciting few weeks at Celtic Park for us all as the story, the Celtic story unfolds and progresses, there is no end to that story. We never stop
This is what I’ve been saying, we can bring in a new manager but the danger lies in the attitude of certain players and I could hazard a guess at some who might have itchy feet. I also agree a change of style is required if we are to progress in Europe as i said last night on another site the squad we have and the style we play will not be successful in Europe.I also think people are going overboard a bit regarding Ange being a success down there as he will need to totally reshape that squad and let’s be honest he won’t be allowed to. I think he’s on to a hiding.
Good luck to him, the next manager will probably want to bring his own backroom team.
I seem to recall, a couple of seasons ago, during lockdown after Lennon was sacked, most Celtic fans myself included (as well as this blog if I recall correctly) were wanting shot of JK. I know all this “defensive coach” bollocks was exactly that but it is true to say we were conceding goal after goal from cross balls and set plays. JK was very much part of the coaching staff who were supposed to fix that. And didn’t. I absolutely 100% credit Celtic’s incredible turnaround to one man and now he’s off. JK can go without any qualms as far as I am concerned. And he should take Strachans Sr and Jr with him.
Never mind ‘holdin him back’ ! It’s a no brainer. He should be away along with Strachan. Whoever comes in should be allowed tae bring in his own staff and no be ‘pursueded,’ or influenced intae keepin these guys in the dug out. AGAIN !! New personel needed in there.
Moses Postecoglou taking his followers from Paradise to the Promised Land
does not make sense.
As Ive said in the past for 10IAR, I’m convinced its a managed decline, to keep Sevco relevant and alive.
Every time we are in a position to put the final nails in their coffin,this stage managed decline pops up, they get a title and some CL money.
Its almost as if its in a signed agreement somewhere that we must let them win to survive, cos nothing else makes sense.
And Pedro the Hun is back in the building let’s not forget….
HH
Getting embarrassing now, James. You need to get a grip. We’re all disappointed that Ange has gone, but there’s been no disloyalty and he hasn’t scuttled off anywhere. Ange’s first loyalty must be to his family and he’s made a decision which is best for them, as we all surely would. Football player or manager is successful and is headhunted by another club; a story as old as football itself – it’s that simple. Gives us a problem or two? Sure. Nothing new here though; nothing that we and every football club doesn’t deal with all the time. Especially for us in a less attractive league. Your recent slew of articles suggest you’re taking this setback personally. You’re veering dangerously close to ‘booing Fergus’ territory. Not good. Enjoy your time by the pool and maybe use it to readjust your perspective.