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If and when Celtic ever announce a new manager, it will be an absolute miracle.

It has now been 11 long arduous weeks since Neil Lennon left his post behind at Parkhead but the Hoops hierarchy are still stumbling and struggling to find a new boss.

What’s the word?

Over the last week or so it looked like a deal to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise was reaching a conclusion.

The Daily Mail reported that talks were being finalised before journalist Stuart Hodge revealed over the weekend that Howe would become the new head coach of Celtic.

However, we keep getting sent mixed messages in this saga with the latest word being that an announcement may not be as close as we all think.

That’s due to the recent statement that Celtic released regarding their hunt for a new manager.

Reporter Mark Guidi said on the Go Radio Football Show: “For people again it’s like a holding statement.  Every Celtic supporter wants the next statement from the club to be ‘here’s your new manager’. That’s not happening. Going by that statement, I don’t think it’s close otherwise I don’t think the club would have put the statement out.”

Guidi continued: “It’s a kind of ‘we know you’re frustrated, but we are working hard, get behind us, it’s been a horrible season, we want to bounce back as quickly as we can, we want to appoint a new manager as quickly as we can. And when we do send out our season tickets, please renew them, because we need you inside the stadium and obviously, we need the finances.’

“But going with that statement, I’m not anticipating any announcement, whether it’s Eddie Howe or anyone, anytime soon.”

Worrying news

Given the enormous amount of work that is required this summer behind the scenes at Celtic, yet another stall in their bid to find a new manager is simply disastrous.

The Hoops need a new manager and they need one extremely swiftly. Of course, the Bhoys can’t appoint the very first person they see but John Kennedy has proven in a matter of months that he’s not fit for the full-time role.

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He’s only won three of his eight matches and has seen his side crash out of the Scottish Cup at the expense of Rangers and then smacked by the same opposition 4-1 in the league.

There is a mass clear out of the playing staff needed this summer and concrete plans for recruitment cannot be put in place until someone arrives.

Considering the transfer window opens in a month’s time on June 9th, there is now very little time to get someone through the door before they should be active in the market.

Scott Brown is leaving for Aberdeen so a replacement will be needed there while negotiations will need to take place with Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer over their futures.

The two Celtic stars have been linked with the exit door on a regular basis but they aren’t the only ones that might need replacing.

Ryan Christie’s contract expires in January 2022 so he’ll be free to leave while Moi Elyounoussi, Jonjoe Kenny and Diego Laxalt will all head back to their parent clubs.

The longer this goes on, the less time Celtic are going to have in order to prepare for next season.

They cannot afford to stall things for much longer.

AND in other news, Celtic interview “outstanding” 63 y/o for manager role, Hoops fans should be buzzing…

Leeds United must land Udinese star Rodrigo de Paul this summer amid David Norris’ transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports last summer suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were very much interested in signing the Argentina international, and news has once again emerged that the Whites would be keen to bring him to Elland Road this time around.

And, speaking exclusively to FFC, former Leeds man Norris has suggested that De Paul could well be one of the more high-profile signings that Leeds make this summer.

He said: “From the players I’ve seen Leeds been linked with at the minute, I think Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese is most likely going to be one of the bigger signings coming in.

“They could be looking for someone in his mould and specifically that position, and I don’t think Leeds would ever rule out the chance of signing any decent player.”

Imagine him and Kalvin Phillips

While Kalvin Phillips has grown into the heartbeat of this Leeds side, the England international could do with some extra quality support in the middle of the park, and De Paul fits that bill to a tee.

The Argentine has bagged nine goals and ten assists in 35 games in the Serie A alone, and his coach at Udinese, Luca Gotti, has waxed lyrical about the kind of ability and potential that he has.

He said: “Rodrigo is not the only one we have here who has a bright future but he can play for all the top clubs. Any team in the world. I mean, he starts for Lionel Messi’s Argentina. I’ve been able to watch this metamorphosis from up close, the shift in mentality that turns a good player into a top player, a champion.

“He’s become a leader and is the first person to demand more of himself. Rodrigo is able to pass that work ethic on to his team-mates.”

The £26m-rated De Paul is the man who Udinese rally behind, and it’s no surprise that the midfielders ranks top for goals and assists for his side this season, as well as boasting the most key passes and dribbles per game too.

The Italian side’s technical director, Pier Paolo Marino, has also added to the list of De Paul’s admirers, adding: “Rodrigo is animated by a profound love of football. It’s one of the attributes all top players must have. He’s a tireless worker who mixes quantity with quality, training as hard as he plays. In a nutshell, he’s the ideal player.”

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Having two leaders like De Paul and Phillips in the engine room would give Bielsa’s team a formidable midfield duo that would possess the kind of quality that the club can really build around. Victor Orta must do all he can to get him to Elland Road.

Meanwhile, a journalist has dropped a major Leeds United update…

Kieran Trippier has reignited his career with Atletico Madrid as he appears to be on course to win La Liga under Diego Simeone, however, Marcus Bent, who only cost Everton £450,ooo in 2004, has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that the England international would not start for Everton.

Having earned his big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur from Burnley in 2015, Trippier only enhanced his reputation during the 2018 World Cup but his club form saw him out of favour at Spurs, thus getting a move away to the Spanish capital.

As Seamus Coleman appears to creep closer to retiring, there have been rumours of Everton looking to make a move for Trippier this summer as there is no natural replacement at the club to take over the reins when Coleman calls it a day.

Coleman has been with Everton since he signed from Sligo Rovers in 2009 for just £63,000 but he won’t be able to start regularly forever, and Trippier could be the ideal player to come in and give the Everton skipper that rest he needs every so often.

Bent spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern: “The only problem with that is if Trippier came in he probably wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting place because Coleman is doing brilliant and he is good on and off the pitch for the club, but they know he won’t be able to keep going forever.

“It’s about finding that halfway line where you can bring in a talented player that does expect to play but not every week.”

Since joining Atletico Madrid in 2019, Trippier is still yet to win his first piece of silverware but that seems to be edging closer as they are in pole position to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to their first league title in seven years.

Everton had this same situation two years ago when Leighton Baines decided it was time to hang up his boots and they brought in Lucas Digne who has been able to step into Baines’ role perfectly with his excellent delivery from out wide and set pieces.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be a man in demand this summer.

The midfielder will bring the curtain down on a disappointing loan spell with Fulham this Sunday before returning to parent club Chelsea.

Loftus-Cheek has managed just one goal and failed to assist in 30 Premier League appearances since making the loan switch across London.

He’s still got more than three years running on his Chelsea deal, but hasn’t played regularly for the Stamford Bridge outfit since the 2018-2019 campaign.

Thomas Tuchel compared Loftus-Cheek to former Blues star Michael Ballack ahead of Chelsea’s April trip to Fulham, but it remains unclear whether the German manager will offer the midfielder a future back in west London.

With that in mind, Southampton are ready to give the 25-year-old a lifeline, with the Blues reportedly asking for £20m.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is an admirer of Loftus-Cheek and Windass believes that the midfielder needs a new adventure to kickstart his career again.

He told Football FanCast:

“Well, he won’t be at Fulham. I like watching the lad play, he looks an athlete.

“For him, he needs a team or a manager that wants to put his arm around him and get him fit. The boy’s a talent, he’s a big lad. He needs to get his future sorted out.

“He’d be able to play in the top four or top six team, but he needs a manager to put his arm around him. There will be a few managers after him.”

Newcastle checked on Ozan Kabak last season, with the centre-back having joined Liverpool on loan back in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Magpies could be set for a major revamp of their defence with a number of players finding themselves out of contract and potentially moved on to fund a rebuild.

And, according to The Shields Gazette, Steve Bruce’s side have made their checks on Kabak, with QPR’s Rob Dickie and Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer also those who have said to have been scouted.

Shades of Sergio Ramos

With Liverpool without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Kabak was thrust straight into the deep end by Jurgen Klopp, but that certainly didn’t faze him, with the centre-back’s maturity something that has been previously lauded.

Thomas Hitzlersperger once commented: “It’s incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It’s astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is.”

In fact, Klopp even revealed that Schalke boss David Wagner said “he would be a future captain”, while Arsenal’s former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was equally effusive in his praise of the defender.

He told The Athletic: “I told Jurgen that he’s a top lad. Top mentality, top character, top aggression. He’s a (Dejan) Lovren-type player. Very good in the air, both defensively and in the opposition box.

“He played his best stuff for us (at Stuttgart). He hasn’t been able to show how good he is at Schalke. He still needs to learn but he has all the skills for Klopp to make a success of him.”

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That “aggression” and “character” means that it’s perhaps no surprise to see the Turkey international likened to Sergio Ramos, with Bundesliga.com writing:

“Kabak has a sound in-game radar and a deceptively quick turn of pace. Powerful in the air and with a great sense of timing, four of his six Bundesliga goals have been headers. He also comes complete with the same bite for which Real captain Ramos has become so well known.”

With Liverpool having decided not to take up their option to sign Kabak, the £22.5m-rated ace could well be a shrewd signing for the Magpies.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce could create a formidable Newcastle duo by signing this “unique talent”…

Liam Kennedy has dropped a big claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United that interestingly involves Rafa Benitez.

The Lowdown: Bruce potentially at risk

If the proposed takeover from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is eventually completed, then Steve Bruce may certainly be at risk of losing his job at St. James’ Park.

The new owners may want to go down a new pathway in terms of hiring a fresh manager to take them into the new era, and given that Bruce was not hired by them in the first place, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss may well be at risk.

Theoretically, a takeover could well be completed as early as July, if the arbitration case against the Premier League goes well for Mike Ashley and the North East club, which would then in turn cast doubt over Bruce’s future.

The Latest: Kennedy drops takeover claim

Replying to sports journalist Ross Gregory on Twitter when asked whether Benitez would consider any of the currently vacant manager jobs at the moment, Kennedy, of the Shields Gazette, claimed with regards to the former Liverpool and Chelsea coach: “He wants NUFC job. If he takes another it will be a potential indication things are going south on takeover front.”

Benitez would most definitely be a big name that the new owners would likely be looking for if they can get their bid over the line, and the fact that he wants the job and has managed on Tyneside before potentially gives him an advantage.

The Verdict: Takeover could be going south

As Kennedy claims, the takeover could well be heading south if Benitez decides to take one of the vacant manager jobs available.

The fact that he wants to manage the Magpies again, coupled up with the fact that he is the sort of big name that the new owners would probably be looking for, means that as long as he stays available it could be a sign that the takeover is not buried in the sand as of yet.

A positive result in arbitration could propel the Toon to start looking at new managers to potentially replace Bruce, assuming that the takeover could be accelerated, and if Benitez is still available by then, then certain pieces of the jigsaw may well fall into the place.

In other news, find out which player dubbed ‘the future Kun Aguero’ NUFC are eyeing here!

Eddie Howe does not have the approval of ‘one senior Everton official’ amid the club’s search for a new manager, according to the Liverpool Echo’s Sam Carroll.

The lowdown

The Toffees are hunting for a new manager after Carlo Ancelotti left to rejoin Real Madrid last week.

A report from the Daily Express suggested that former Bournemouth boss Howe was pushing for the vacancy at Goodison Park. Celtic expected the Englishman to take over in Glasgow, only for him to walk away from the deal (via BBC Sport).

Everton want a boss who can lead them into Europe after finishing 10th in 2020/21, but a number of fans seem to doubt Howe’s credentials for the role, scoffing at the report that he was keen on the Goodison Park job.

The latest

Carroll addressed the matter in an article for the Liverpool Echo which he also shared on Twitter, giving his “thoughts on the lazy rumours and what one senior Everton official thinks of Howe”.

An official ‘involved in the managerial search’ apparently won’t give the 43-year-old his backing – instead, it is the former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo who is named as the favourite for the role.

Howe could prove to be a contender for the Everton job in the future, but only after enhancing his reputation elsewhere.

The verdict

Howe’s achievements at Bournemouth were remarkable, guiding them from the bottom of League Two to spending five seasons in the Premier League, but you can understand the desire to appoint someone with experience in Europe rather than taking more of a gamble.

Nuno has that latter check-point, having led Wolves into the Europa League in their first season back in the top flight. They commendably made it all the way to the last eight, where they were beaten by eventual winners by Sevilla.

Based on the respective manager’s accomplishments, it’s hard not to feel that Nuno may indeed be a preferable candidate to Howe for the Everton job.

In other news, a football finance expert made this claim about the funds available to the new Everton manager. 

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce must avoid making a move for Chelsea’s Ross Barkley this summer, despite Gabby Agbonlahor’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Magpies would be interested in landing the England international in the transfer window, and Agbonlahor has now insisted that it could be the “perfect move” for Barkley.

The 34-year-old told Football Insider: “I think it would be a good fit. Steve Bruce would get the best out of him. Ross Barkley needs to go somewhere now, he’s at a crossroads in his career, he’s 28. He needs to go somewhere and have a really good season, not just a few months like he did at Villa.

“It could be the perfect move for him to go play week in, week out.”

Fans would be fuming

Earning a reported £100,000 per week, Barkley just endured a shocking season while on loan at Aston Villa, managing just three goals and one assist in the Premier League – indeed, he had a shocking second half of the season in particular, with no goals in the top flight since the end of January when he netted in a 1-0 victory over Southampton.

Speaking on The Athletic’s Aston Villa-themed 1874 podcast, journalist Gregg Evans said: “He doesn’t do enough for me now. I’ve seen enough of Ross Barkley now to realise that he’s becoming a bit of a liability for Villa. He’s not helping out enough as he should, really. Whether that’s impacting on John McGinn, I don’t know.”

A move for an injury-prone Barkley, on massive wages, could be a total and utter disaster for Newcastle, and it would take Mike Ashley’s reputation at St James’ Park even lower were he to sanction such a move.

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Magpies fans would likely be absolutely fuming if a move for Barkley was made by the club instead of trying to prioritise a permanent deal for another English midfielder in Joe Willock, who excelled on loan at St James’ Park in recent months.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is interested in this Scottish starlet…

As confirmed by Rangers, striker Jermain Defoe has agreed a one-year contract extension at Ibrox and now moves into a player/coaching role under manager Steven Gerrard.

Defoe, who moved to Glasgow permanently in the summer of 2020 after initially joining on loan Bournemouth, has since gone on to rack up 72 appearances in all competitions for the club.

In that time, the Englishman has netted a brilliant 32 goals whilst also becoming a fan favourite.

Now, as a result, the Gers have announced he will stay for another year but move into a player/coaching role – something which may benefit Rangers given his experience on the biggest stages in football.

As Defoe and the Gers announce his first steps into coaching as well as his continued stay, it’s little wonder many supporters have raved over the development on social media.

Find all of their best verdicts on the big announcement down below.

Gers fans rave over Defoe announcement

“YEEEESSSSS”

Credit: @Pena_Cartel

“Could not be happier. What an amazing role model to have at our club.”

Credit: @ColinEk11

“Tremendous news. A great member of the squad and now coaching team.”

Credit: @55kapow

“Best news today!! @IAmJermainDefoe is exactly what a Ranger is, on and off the field. So glad our club get to help him progress to his next chapter. Good luck champ! #55”

Credit: @RichyTeaBiscuit

“This is exciting stuff! What a fantastic role model for the younger boys!”

Credit: @LauraMurchie1

“Great news”

Credit: @AlanC_44

“Brilliant news. The guy is an absolute credit to Rangers FC.”

Credit: @CraigMacDonald3

“Buzzing for this! Glad he’s moving into a coaching role as well

An amazing guy to have in and around the club.”

Credit: @Geeb1872

In other news: Paddy Kenny tips this colossal forward to join Rangers this summer, find out more here.

Barnsley’s Valerien Ismael is an “effective” manager, former Premier League boss Paul Jewell has told Football FanCast.

Ismael is one name Crystal Palace are thought to be considering as they look to replace Roy Hodgson, with Football Insider reporting last month that director of football Dougie Freedman is keen on bringing him to the club.

Since then, Palace have had a good look at Nuno Espirito Santo, even coming close to appointing the ex-Wolves manager.

However, with talks breaking down, the south London outfit will now be forced to turn elsewhere, potentially bringing Ismael back into the equation.

On Ismael, who had a brief spell at Palace during his playing days, Jewell said:

“I wouldn’t want to play against him every week – it’s difficult. I mean, the different style of playing, that’s the beauty of football.

“Everyone says he plays the game the right way, never quite understood what that means, the right way. I think what you have to do is try and play the game that suits the players that you have.

“He’s different. Not silky, classy football, but he’s effective and I’ve got no problem with that.”

Failing to bring Nuno to Selhurst Park would have come as a disappointment to chairman Steve Parish. The 47-year-old has really proven himself in the Premier League with Wolves over the last few years.

But that ship has obviously sailed now, so it is worth giving serious consideration to a manager like Ismael as this search for Hodgson’s successor drags on.