The sudden exit of Brendan Rodgers led to confusion at Parkhead midway through the ongoing campaign. But the management reacted promptly by reappointing Neil Lennon as the interim Celtic chief. Despite a few hiccups, the Irishman is closing in on a historic treble treble having confirmed their eighth successive Premiership triumph earlier this month. However, there is still uncertainty whether he would be handed a permanent role beyond this summer.
According to Calciomercatoweb, Claudio Ranieri has emerged as an outsider to replace Lennon as the next Hoops boss. The 67-year-old veteran is set to leave his position at AS Roma once the season concludes. The Italian had a failed stint with Fulham a few months back, but his heroics at Leicester is still adored and regarded as the greatest ever success story in English football.
Although Celtic have been linked to a move for Rafael Benitez to carry the legacy forward, Ranieri has been backed to be a success in Scotland for his enormous experience across Europe. Fabio Capello, the former England boss, has suggested the same while speaking to Sunday Post.
“Celtic had a great coach in Brendan Rodgers, a man who is technically so good. I have heard Claudio Ranieri is one of the coaches they are looking at, and I can see why. He is a football man, is very experienced and has succeeded in several countries.”
The Scottish Premiership is known for its physicality and attacking nature – something that Ranieri is well aware of having followed the game so minutely over the years. He has struggled to find his feet since winning the league with the Foxes but has never compromised with the exciting brand of football he introduced during his managerial regime.
Celtic, meanwhile, might undergo a squad revamp this summer amid an array of potential exits. The resurgence of Rangers is a worrying sign in their quest of ten league titles in a row and Ranieri, known as the ‘Tinkerman’, would be the right fit for the job to script a quick transition.
The Hoops, nevertheless, are focusing on the prestigious Cup final next weekend against Hearts. A win at Hampden Park would cement Lennon’s place in the context of Celtic’s next managerial appointment.
