That, yesterday, was not the straight-talking Celtic boss we have come to know and respect.
If he was committed to Celtic he would have said so once the final whistle had blown and there were no more games for the season. I said on Thursday that he would only be able to avoid the question for so long; yesterday, with nothing else to distract us, he was asked it straight out, and nothing short of a straight answer was going to suffice.
That was the moment, and instead of giving that answer he came off sounding like a third rate politician or a guy who’s been caught climbing out of someone else’s bedroom window.
Look, there are some questions you just can’t dodge your way around like this. He ran out of room to dodge yesterday. He was the one who said that he was focussed on only the game. In the aftermath of that game these questions were not only reasonable but essential and they are the kind of questions where any evasion is an answer all by itself.
There are some things about this that absolutely stink.
I’m not saying he’s wrong to want to explore the option of talking to Spurs; he has that right.
Celtic have rights too though, such as the right to enjoy cup final weekend without this hanging over us.
The right to the protection a long-term contract would have given us and which he and his agents have obviously not wanted to sign. I understand there will be interest in Ange; if he had signed a deal like that I wouldn’t have cared if he left the next day. That is the minimum we deserve for plucking him out of relative obscurity and backing him like no other boss in history.
Our plans for next season are already in place … that guy made those plans.
And now he’s not going to stick around and put them into motion?
This was allowed to dominate the last week, and whilst I appreciate that’s not entirely his fault, there were ways that it could have been handled a Hell of a lot better than it was. He has known far more than he has let on about what’s been happening in the background, and I don’t feel any desire to pretend I believe otherwise.
He stood there yesterday and tried to do his dance when, officially, he doesn’t even have an offer from England or anywhere else at this moment in time. All of it is hugely suspect.
As I said the other day, as much as he sat there at the press conferences before the game and said his mind was only on the match, it’s clear that his agents have been busy boys in the last week.
Yesterday he sounded very much like a man who knows exactly what has been happening behind the scenes.
He must be confident it’s a done deal.
Because how does he even start to row back from this if he’s not got something solid lined up?
What’s his next move?
Pretend none of this happened?
Oh I know some of our fans would be happy to ignore what’s now blatantly obvious if by some chance he happened to stay, but let’s recognise that he had a chance to commit to the club and didn’t do it.
There’s really no way to spin that.
If you asked your significant other if he or she was committed to the relationship and they hesitated, obfuscated and skirted around giving you a direct answer you would be wise to conclude that one of you would shortly be packing their bags.
It doesn’t matter what happens next, that relationship is not going back to the way things were.
When someone doesn’t answer a question like that then things have irrevocably changed. He is not committed to the cause; this is what led to Juranovic and Giakoumakis being sold when they were both one year into long term deals.
He emphasised that point himself; when someone’s not 100% on board then it’s time to move them on.
So the relationship Ange had with us is over, whether he stays or not.
A fundamental shift happened yesterday,
And you know, this leaves us with one Hell of a decision to make.
It would be better, in light of yesterday, for the club to sit him down and offer him a new deal and if he doesn’t sign it then we’ll know what we have to do.
If he goes down to London for an interview at Spurs I genuinely don’t want him to come back.
I very much doubt that anyone at Celtic will feel differently.
Because how can he come back?
That would leave us sitting fearing every managerial sacking down there, and the media would have an absolute blast milking that for all it was worth.
Without his signing a long term deal we’re leaving our club at the mercy of events.
It’s ludicrous to expect the people who run our club to accept a situation like that.
None of us should be put in that position, and especially not the fans.
Come Monday, he needs to be asked to commit, to sign a long term contract, and if he won’t then I would prefer that by 5pm we’re officially in the business of appointing someone new.
The announcement needs to be made, giving us all closure.
We’re Celtic, this is not a one-man cult of personality and someone is only as good as their most recent service to us.
When he evaded the question about whether he is committed to Celtic, his utility to us came to a shattering end.
It is clear that yesterday was the closing of a chapter, and the sooner we start moving onto the next one the more secure the house will be.
In my opinion his behaviour over the last 10 days when he stood on the park and talked about what a great team and support he had and what a lucky man he was,is far worse than what Rodgers did.He gaslighted us in our own stadium, that is unforgivable.
I understand the wish to have a definitive statement on his future, and when it comes I now expect it to be a move to Spurs. However, immediately after the match was definitely not the time to make the statement. What a dampener that would have been on the celebrations.
Yeah it’s a tough spot to be in.
But he should got his agents and Spurs on the same page and halted this talk … at least one of those parties has been leaking like a sieve, and his agents certainly were in a position to demand that someone put a stop to that.
Totally agree James, he is done at Celtic, the usual huge empty praise for the fans before you put yourself first like they all do. He cannot now continue to manage Celtic, he is done even if he does not get the Spurs job, and for what it is worth, I think he is making a huge mistake if he goes there.
If he does leave we have to take other things into account. He has stood on the touchline and watched his players being brutally attacked by other teams players on the pitch and nothing has been done absolutely no protection whatsoever. He has watched each and every game as the team has been cheated by horrendous decisions. How can a man come into this corrupt sectarian system and expect to not say a word. He has given approaching two years in Scotland and witnessed it all. Sitting in front of a contaminated media with only one agenda. He didn’t know what he was getting into. He came here to create a titles winning team and he has done that under horrendous conditions. The man is only flesh and blood and an honest person. His intentions was to take on Europe because he conquered Scotland, but who can blame him. Would anyone want to stand on the touchline and take that week in week out? The Celtic board backed him financially but have said nothing about what is happening in the sectarian Scottish game. Celtic board have the power, influence and money to challenge the system and it has systematically failed. They have let down their manger and the world wide supporters. Can you blame him?
Michael, all valid points mate. And I would be surprised if some of that wasn’t factored in to his thinking.
For £40,000 per week and all the adulation I’d certainly be able to deal with Ange’s job.
You may be right regarding how Celtic were treated but do you think it will be all tea and cookies for him at Spurs? We are beginning to witness assaults after every game in England now. If you are right, then let’s hope he tells the world how Celtic, their staff and fans are hated in Scotland and how the football authorities and the media helped
drive him away. It is only a matter of weeks when it was a great joke when McCoist
offered him a lift south.
Spot on article James his answer yesterday makes it impossible for him to stay.How can anyone now believe a word that comes out of his mouth.
Now that the season is over Ange should be allowed a week or two to think over his future, Obviously there are things going on in the background. Where I do agree with you is that he should be offered a longer term contract with Celtic, but I’m pretty sure the offer has already been made and will be considered alongside any other coming his way.
Football is an emotional game especially for the fans who sacrifice their hard earned cash in support of their club. For the Players, Manager and backroom staff it is emotional but also from a practical point they have to take into account how it affects their partner and family among lots of other things such as finances, schools etc.
It is disappointing if he goes and I hope he doesn’t leave us hanging on too long before making a decision. I would wish him good luck and I think he’ll need it if he joins Spurs.
Can’t disagree with a single word, goodbye now, regardless what Ange wants.
Negativity underscores this piece.
IF Ange and Celtic have agreed to allow Spurs to pitch, then fine. Assuming that’s the case, then nothing has been decided or can be stated.
While Ange might indeed leave Celtic, until then there’s nothing to say or ‘report’.
Nothing to report lol.
The manager of Celtic has refused to answer the question as to whether he intends to be at the club next season …
I’m sorry, but that’s a story, that’s something to report.
Speculation does not equate with an evidence-led ‘report’.
I hate to say it, but it does look a done deal. As you said, Enrique probably does want the job, but not qualifying for Europe has hit not only the budget but the appeal to top players. Ange works well under a budget and won’t be fazed by losing Harry Kane any more than he was here losing Christie, Ajer and Edouard.
I hate to start doing this but does anyone have any thoughts to a replacement? Graham Potter, Steve Clark (Celtic at heart), or the one I’d like to explore Kjetil Knutsen at Bodo Glimt? he seems to be an excellent coach and has an good European record at a tiny club.
Totally agree James,post match interview said it all ,if not Spurs someone else,he has been superb for the club,the look on Dermot Desmonds face during on field celebrations said it all. New manager needs in place asap, a lot of sorting to be done, would not be surprised if new man already picked
Lawells penny pinching has probably made him realise its time to go.
Nope. Not having that lol.
Nobody is a bigger critic of Lawwell than me, but Ange has more money to spend than any Celtic boss in history and all told this was going to be a bonanza spending summer.
This is not about Lawwell or penny pinching.
I’m not gutted. I’m fuming. Our club is bigger than him or any other person. I thought he was a straight shooter. All this crap about not wanting to answer a question that involves all the fans a simple yes or no in regard to his future at Celtic.Is a kick in the teeth to everyone who backed him to the hilt. I am hurting as I loved this man and believed in him.Now I want him to go. He doesn’t deserve our undying support.He should tell us what we already know. So man up ange and be honest with the people who invested in you.
Ange has more ambition than the board. He wants to make an impact in Europe. Just this week however he says we will still be fishing in the same transfer pool as previously. If he stays and we have another poor Champions League group then his stock will drop and he knows that. I believe given we won’t support his ambition and go for an upgrade and the finance that incurs is why he wants to move on. He came in when we were on our knees and picked us up and returned us to were Rodgers left us. Give him the respect he deserves.
I don’t know what that means.
We know where we play football. We couldn’t have signed Erling Haaland.
We live within our means, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of about this club.
This has Nothing to do with the media????
Have Spurs made an official approach or made a statement they intend to?
Have Celtic made any official comment regarding the manager?
EVERYTHING we are being is fed is coming from the media.
Whatever will be will be but Celtic have just won their eighth treble and no one is talking about it.
If there’s nothing in the story then Ange could just have said yesterday “Yeah I’m staying at Celtic.”
So what’s he flapping about if this is a just a media invention?
Spurs are leaking this all over the place. Whether we like it or not this IS happening, this is REAL ..
If our manager is presently negotiating a new contract with Desmond and Co, he would be foolish to undermine his own deal by committing himself to staying while talks are progressing.
I repeat myself from yesterday, relax he is going nowhere.
Haha man I love that enthusiasm! I hope you’re right mate!
Quite simple James. I believe Ange has identified targets that the board are not willing to sanction. That’s why his comments on fishing in the same pool are very telling. With regards to Haaland. We all know the club can’t go to that level but 1 or 2 marquee signings should be well within what we can afford.
Well I mean that’s the thing; Ange has to be a realist. Any Celtic manager has to be a realist. They can’t come here and say they understand this stuff and then huff about it. We all wish it was different, but we all know it’s not.
James its your blog the only thing i can ask the man who got pumped out of spurs was on £15 mills a season Ange is on £ 2 mill a season if you can work in engerland my opinion only guess what talks .
But 2 million a season is a vast wage for someone whom everyone laughed at and had a pedigree of not always being successful in Greece, Australia and Japan and being the SPL winner doesn’t count for much either. The 5 times plus contracts are only for the Mourinho, Pochettino, Mancini and Guardiolas of this world and, sadly, not for elderly Anges.
Next coach must not be Lennon or rodgers progress improvement upgrading better players upgrading stadia leaving irrelevant sevco in our shadow and dirty poisonous bigoted media
My sense of perception is not like it used to be ! Getting older and all that . Having said that ,I thought the look on Desmond and Lawell ‘s faces sitting in that dive known as Humpden after securing the treble was of two men who were witnessing the beginning of the end of Ange as our exceptional manager . Or maybe it was the half time canapes hitting the mark causing their look of lament ?
I’m amazed the number of people who’ve messaged me saying they looked well pissed off. I was at the game and haven’t watched it, but when everyone is telling me essentially the same thing I believe it without having to see it, and yeah I would imagine they’d have been immensely frustrated yesterday and maybe even feeling a bit let down.
Well worth a look James
Watched Ange’s evasion on the Skye ‘interview’ after the game. Let himself down by not being straight. Though think thee is a lesson for Celtic us fans -can we stop deifying our managers?
He has done a good job in Scotland and has yet to prove himself in Europe. If he wants to move on, just like any employee he has that right. It is unfortunate that we have to start the process again 2 years on. So be it.