IT LOOKS INCREASINGLY like that the new Celtic manager will be Ronny Deila with the 38 year-old admitting to being ‘flattered’ by the club’s interest in him.
Delia has been in charge of Norwegian club Stromsgodset since 2007 and guided them to a domestic cup in 2010 and a league title last year – their first in 43 years.
Last night, he stayed at home as his side suffered a shock Norwegian Cup elimination at the hands of lowly Tromsdalen.
On Wednesday, he spoke briefly to the press saying:
It’s just speculation. I am here at Stromsgodset. It’s flattering as Celtic are a big club. I have always said I dream about working abroad one day. It’s great to be linked to a club like Celtic but I’ve been in football a long time and nothing is secure in it and I can only talk about things that are concrete.”
Deila does have a burgeoning reputation with Swedish champions Malmo having sought his services. His work at a Stromsgodset, a club on the verge of bankruptcy just a few short years ago, has been incredibly impressive. He’s traveled across Europe, studying the philosophies of various managers including Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund.
Perhaps what’s most attractive from Celtic’s perspective is Deila’s success in working with a barely-there budget and having to rely heavily on intelligent recruiting policies and a refreshing coaching system.
