Things are moving quickly at Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation came from nowhere, and also saw Glen Driscoll, Adam Sadler, Jack Lyons and, most notably, John Kennedy depart the club.
Things are all change at Celtic Park, and the club have now put together a management team of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for the Falkirk fixture today.
Dermot Desmond’s scathing attack on Rodgers has overshadowed the new interim managers, and hasn’t exactly reassured supporters.
But the Hoops are now targeting a highly-rated Chelsea coach as they look to rejuvenate their coaching staff.
Celtic make approach for Chelsea coach Calum McFarlane
Kennedy left the Celts after more than a quarter of a century working in various positions on the club’s books.
Brought into Ronny Deila’s coaching staff in 2014, he went on to work as assistant to Rodgers, Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou, working as interim manager for a spell in 2021.
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Kennedy was a man in demand throughout his time as Celtic assistant. Rodgers tried to take him to Leicester in 2019.
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Postecoglou also wanted him at Tottenham in 2023, despite not usually bringing coaching staff with him when moving. This is a clear sign of how highly-rated he was.
Celtic see a potential replacement as Chelsea Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane, who they have reportedly made an approach for.
According to The 42, the club have requested permission to speak to Chelsea about McFarlane joining the coaching set-up at Parkhead.
The Englishman is 39 years old and seen as a rising star in coaching spheres. He has previously worked at Manchester City and Southampton.
Despite holding a prestigious position at one of the most resourceful clubs in the world, McFarlane would potentially be swayed by the opportunity to work at first-team level.
It would not be a temporary appointment, but a permanent one potentially in the place of Kennedy.
Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond vs Brendan Rodgers
It’s difficult to tell exactly who will be managing each aspect of the side’s managerial search given that Desmond seems to have seized the initiative.
He described Rodgers as ‘divisive’ and ‘self-serving’ in an extraordinary attack on the departed Hoops boss. But the statement was purely his.
Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell’s exact positions on Rodgers’ departure are unknown, and Kennedy’s decision to leave indicates that some at the club took his side.
This isn’t even mentioning Paul Tisdale, who has barely been seen since making the move to work as head of Celtic’s football operations.