Marco Rose, once a contender to be Celtic manager, is reportedly the favourite for a move to the Premier League.
As Martin O’Neill prepares for the run-in in the Scottish Premiership, it currently looks most likely that Robbie Keane will take his place in the summer.
But a name who was once spoken about for the Parkhead hotseat is Rose, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg manager who did the double over Brendan Rodgers’ Celts in 2018-19.
The German has been out of work since being sacked by RB Leipzig over a year ago.
Agree or disagree?
Celtic director of football question
Photo by Ian MacNicol, Getty Images
Ex-Celtic candidate Marco Rose a favourite to be Bournemouth manager
According to talkSPORT football correspondent Alex Crook, Rose is a leading contender to take over at Bournemouth this summer.
Andoni Iraola confirmed that he wouldn’t be extending his contract this week,
READ MORE:Scott Brown defends ‘easy target’ Callum McGregor from Celtic fan criticism
MORE CELTIC STORIES
On an infamous night in the Europa League in December 2019, Rodgers’ Hoops were 2-1 down in a decisive clash with Rose’s Salzburg, but a miraculous late goal from Rosenborg’s Tore Reginiussen in the group’s other game sent the Hoops through anyway.
Later that month, the Norwegian defender was flooded with Christmas cards from Celtic fans.
Rose bizarrely wore a Celtic hat and scarf in a stadium full of jubilant fans after the game. In his two seasons managing in Austria, he guided them to the semi-finals then the quarter-finals of the tournament.
He went on to become a mainstay in the Bundesliga with two years at Borussia Monchengladbach, one at Borussia Dortmund and three at RB Leipzig.
Without pulling up any serious trees, he won the DfB Pokal with Leipzig and took them to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
In his ill-fated final season with the club, he returned to Parkhead in the League Phase of the competition, being deservedly beaten 3-1.
Nicolas Kuhn scored an excellent brace that night, and Reo Hatate scored as well.
I want the next manager of Celtic to be…
Martin O'Neill reacts to a decision made by a Celtic player against Dundee United
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Marco Rose on Celtic fan ‘culture’
Speaking ahead of that game, Rose said: “The fans mean you need to be ready if you want to win here.
“It will be a great atmosphere and we have to use it because we like to play in these kinds of stadiums. We will have to defend all they give us to defend as well.
“But I’m sure we’ll get our chances in possession and transition and when we do we have to take these chances. I always like coming here, I like the history of the club, I appreciate fan culture a lot.
“I remember my first match here with Salzburg in the Europa League very well, we played very well and the supporters accepted and honoured the result.
“I actually had some contact with a few supporters, they offered me a scarf. This creates a connection. And I also like their manager.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox