Last week, Damien Duff’s departure as Celtic first team coach was confirmed as the Irishman discussed his need to return home to his family.  You would be hard pushed to find a Celtic fan who would begrudge him for that and we wish him all the best.

His farewell does leave a hole in the Celtic coaching set-up however, and the club will be hoping to bring in Neil Lennon’s no3 as soon as possible as the team begins their push towards 10-in-a-row.

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Since it was rumoured that Duff would be set to leave the club, a number of names have been linked with the spot on the Celtic bench.

In-house figures such as Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea have been touted for early promotions.  This approach would continue the recent tradition of building experience for coaches from u18 level into the first team coaching set up.  The system has worked marvellously as seen with John Kennedy who started coaching in the academy before working his way to become Neil Lennon’s assistant manager.  However, would it be too early for either of the former Celtic defenders to make the leap up to the first team?  Both coaches only just went into their current roles in 2019.  Furthermore, with the already strong defensive expertise of John Kennedy mixed with the gaffer’s midfield knowledge, a coach with an attacking brain, like Duff, would be ideal to complete the trio.  It is understood that Duff was particularly useful in improving set pieces in training.

Now who do we know in coaching that is out of work, has played for Celtic, and was a pretty decent attacker?  It did not take long for Henrik Larsson’s name to be mentioned for the job when it became clear the Duff would be leaving.  Ever since retiring, the Hoops legend has been linked with the manager’s role at paradise, with some convinced he was set to replace Neil Lennon when the Irishman departed in 2014.  Alas, the Swede’s managerial career has never truly kicked off, having suffered a difficult period in charge of his native Helsingborg.  So, could this be the perfect time to bring Henrik home and begin his journey in the coaching set up?

The romantic side in all Celtic fans would venture that it could be a match made in heaven.  As pretty much every fan’s favourite player from this century, the club’s third all-time record goal scorer could seriously boost Celtic’s fire power working with the likes of the ever-improving Odsonne Edouard and the seasoned Leigh Griffiths.  Based on his playing career, we know that Larsson has a highly intelligent footballing brain that he could easily take off the pitch and put on the white board.  Many have feared that if Larsson were to return to the club as manager and for the experience to go south, it would taint his legacy at the club, as we saw across the city with Ally McCoist.  A role as first team coach could be a happy medium for Celtic and the 2006 Champions League winner. We’re unsure if Henrik is joining the setup at Feyenoord with Dirk Kuyt.

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On the other hand, could Larsson be too big a name to have under the stewardship of Neil Lennon?  While Lennon is a complete legend as both player and manager at the club, Henrik Larsson is truly the elite in the Celtic hall of fame.  Such a figure on the bench could undermine Lennon’s authority.  There is no doubt that Larsson would have some big opinions and he is the sort of person who, when he talks, players would listen.  While this is a positive, there is a worry that it could cause disagreement in the camp.

Another big name linked with the role is former Celtic attacker, Shaun Maloney.  This one could be wishful thinking, as the Celtic Academy graduate has already reached incredible heights in coaching and is currently Roberto Martinez’ assistant manager with the Belgian National side no less.  Another figure whose footballing intelligence as a player was blatantly evident, the former Scotland international has worked extremely hard to become, truly, a first-rate coach.  Unfortunately, enticing Maloney to return to Paradise would be very tricky.  Having began coaching in the Celtic Academy, he has gone to working with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard.  Down the line, when Maloney makes the jump to manager, his name will no doubt be linked with Celtic which should excite the Hoops faithful.  However, for now it would seem unlikely that he will appear on the Celtic bench.

Time will tell who will be replacing Damien Duff.  It is likely we will hear soon, as preseason training has already begun with the Bhoys set to face one of their most important seasons ever.  A coach with solid experience in coaching, a good attacking brain, and ideally someone who gets the club would be ideal.

Who do you think should be Celtic’s new first team coach?  Is it time to bring Henrik home?  Should the club continue its tried and tested method of promoting from within?

DANIEL HAYES