Ange Postecoglou confirmed as new Celtic manager

Celtic have confirmed that Ange Postecoglou has been appointed as first-team manager ahead of next season.

The Glasgow giants have been looking to replace Neil Lennon since February and spent plenty of time chasing former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, but once those negotiations fell apart, the focus quickly turned to Postecoglou, who had impressed in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos.

After agreeing a deal with the Australian earlier this week, Celtic's appointment was delayed because the 55-year-old does not actually hold the coaching badges usually required to work with a Champions League side.

An appeal was lodged to UEFA, with Celtic urging the governing body to look at Postecoglou's wealth of experience from his 25-year managerial career, and the Hoops took to their official website to confirm that Postecoglou has been granted permission to take charge.

Postecoglou, who has signed a 12-month rolling contract, will now begin work on his UEFA Pro Licence and is set to travel to Scotland in the near future, where he will be required to undergo a quarantine period before he is allowed to meet his new team in person.

“The opportunity that has been given to me is one of the greatest honours in football and the responsibility to lead our magnificent football club into the future is one that I will cherish dearly," said Postecoglou.

“Celtic is one of THE names in world football, of that there is no doubt – a giant of a club, a proper footballing institution and so much more – real history, real substance, real authenticity and real soul. I know Celtic is a true way of life for so many people and I know the demands which come with this position – I am ready to do all I can to meet those demands.

“I will be doing everything I can to get our great Club back on top and, at the same time, deliver the kind of football which our fans appreciate. We want to entertain our fans and we want to win, these are the objectives which I always set myself and which I now begin work on.

“When you think of Celtic, you think of supporters and my dream is to see our fans back at Celtic Park with us as soon as possible. We all hope things are changing for the better and can see our fans soon as they are vital to everything I want to do. We need our supporters back by our side and I can’t wait to be with them back in a packed Paradise.

“I very much look forward to meeting with the players on their return from the close season break and I can’t wait to get started as Celtic Manager.”

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