Celtic chairman says no rush to find new boss

May 28, 2009

GLASGOW (AFP) – Celtic chairman John Reid insists the Glasgow club will take their time to find a new manager to replace Gordon Strachan.

The deposed Scottish champions, who surrendered the league to arch rivals Rangers on the last day of the season, were forced to start searching for a new boss when Strachan resigned on Monday in the aftermath of that title failure.

But Reid and his board have already suffered two knock-backs as their top targets, Burnley manager Owen Coyle and West Bromwich Albion chief Tony Mowbray, were declared out of bounds.

Coyle pledged his future to the Clarets on Thursday, just days after leading the club into the Premier League, while Albion issued a hands off warning over Mowbray.

But Reid claims Celtic have yet to make an official approach for any candidate and he is adamant they won’t make a rushed decision, even though the club face a Champions League qualifier in July.

“We are considering a number of possible candidates. However, we have made no official approach to any club. Clearly, Celtic’s priority is to appoint the very best candidate,” Reid told Celtic’s website.

“We will aim to do this as soon as we possibly can, but we will also do so in a professional, considered manner and ensure that we appoint the correct individual for the club and its supporters.

“It is better to get this right rather than be rushed. As the board has done in recent years, through the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, we aim to appoint a manager who will bring continued success to the club.”

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