Celtic fans must not accept the name being discussed at ‘boardroom level’ to replace Brendan Rodgers..
Celtic fans must not accept the name being discussed at ‘boardroom level’ to replace Brendan Rodgers opinion
Celtic supporters have every right to be uneasy about the latest reports emerging from the Parkhead boardroom.
Nearly three weeks after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, the club’s hierarchy appears no closer to securing a replacement, and a surprising name has now surfaced as the current favourite.
According to The Daily Record, a manager working in England’s lower leagues has become the leading option being discussed internally to take on one of the biggest jobs in British football.
For a club of Celtic’s size and expectation, that is a cause for concern.
This is not a moment for the board to roll the dice. The next Celtic manager cannot be a long-term experiment or a coaching project.
He must be a proven winner someone capable of stepping into the most demanding football environment in Scotland and delivering from day one.
Anything less would represent a dangerous gamble at a time when the club needs clarity, strength, and authority.
The Favourite Being Discussed
Seventeen days on from Rodgers’ resignation, reports suggest that Brian Barry-Murphy, the current Cardiff City boss, is the man being discussed most seriously inside the Parkhead boardroom.
At 47, the Irishman has earned a solid reputation south of the border.
Cardiff currently sit fourth in League One, just four points off top spot, and Barry-Murphy’s attacking, possession-based style has won plaudits in recent months.
Before joining Cardiff, he spent time within Manchester City’s academy system, working closely with young players and developing talent that has since progressed to elite levels.
It’s a background that fits modern football’s growing emphasis on development and tactical structure.
But the Celtic job is not just another step up the ladder.
It is a completely different beast a club that measures itself not in potential, but in silverware.
The Reality of the Parkhead Pressure Cooker
The Celtic job comes with expectations that can suffocate even the most promising managers.
The demands are constant: win every league match, dominate domestically, and compete with Europe’s best.
Even experienced managers have crumbled under that pressure.
Barry-Murphy’s managerial record remains limited.
His first spell in management came at Rochdale between 2019 and 2021, overseeing 105 matches. He won 35, drew 25 and lost 49 averaging just 1.19 points per game.
He was praised for his philosophy and tactical vision, but Rochdale struggled to find consistency.
Those numbers, and that context, hardly suggest a manager prepared to walk into the maelstrom of Glasgow football.
Celtic cannot afford another transitional period guided by someone still learning the ropes.
Sutton’s Stern Warning
Former Celtic striker and BBC pundit Chris Sutton summed up the mood of many supporters this week.
Speaking on BBC Scotland, Sutton didn’t mince words about the rumours linking the Cardiff boss to the Parkhead hot seat.
> “Celtic can’t gamble on potential again,” Sutton said. “You don’t learn on the job at this club you deliver from day one. This is a job for a proven winner, not a promising idea.”
Sutton knows the culture of Celtic better than most.He has seen what happens when the club prioritises style over substance or appoints managers still developing their identity.
“It’s one thing managing in League One or working with youth players,” he continued. “It’s another thing entirely walking into Celtic Park, where 60,000 fans expect you to win every single week. That’s a pressure few understand until they’re in it.”
The Bigger Picture
The longer Celtic go without naming a manager, the louder the frustration grows among supporters.
Names such as Kjetil Knutsen of Bodø/Glimt and Graham Potter have been mentioned, but there has been no clear breakthrough.
Sources close to the club suggest internal disagreement over the direction of the appointment.
Some within the hierarchy reportedly favour a younger, long-term option who can modernise the squad, while others want an experienced hand capable of instant success.
The risk, as ever, is paralysis spending too long debating philosophy while rivals like Rangers and Hearts continue to build momentum.
For Celtic, the next appointment is not just about winning the league.
It is about reasserting authority, stabilising after Rodgers’ exit, and sending a message that the club remains ambitious at the highest level.
Verdict
Brian Barry-Murphy’s rise as a coach is admirable. His work at Cardiff and Manchester City’s academy shows tactical awareness and a clear football identity.
He is, without question, a talented and intelligent figure.
But talent and potential do not automatically translate to success at Celtic Park.
This job is not a stepping stone it’s a summit.
It’s where managers are judged instantly, by trophies and European performances, not by progress or promise.
If the reports are true that Barry-Murphy is being seriously considered at boardroom level, then Celtic fans have every reason to be sceptical.
The club cannot afford another experiment.
They need someone who commands respect, who has won at the top level, and who can handle the relentless demands of Scottish football’s biggest institution.
Because at Celtic, there are no learning curves.You win or you’re gone
