Martinez and AVB agents cool talk of Parkhead link
Two of the high-profile candidates linked with the manager’s job at Celtic, Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-boas, look to be out of the running after their agents revealed that their clients are not interested in taking the reins at the Scottish champions.
Neil Lennon is in temporary charge at Celtic Park following the departure to Leicester City of Brendan Rodgers in February. Lennon himself is in the frame to land the job permanently in the summer, while this week the likes of Martinez, Villas-boas and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez have been mentioned.
Belgium manager Martinez was the subject of a huge gamble and his price to be the next Celtic manager even dropped to oddson following an avalanche of bets on him taking on the role.
Yesterday, though, Martinez’s agent, Jesse De Preter, urged Celtic supporters not to get their hopes up that the former Everton boss is Glasgow-bound.
“Roberto always seems to be on the shortlist as soon as there is a vacancy at a big club,” said De Preter. “But this is a false rumour about him going to Celtic. It seems to have come from the fact Roberto has a Scottish wife and he has ties to the country. However, there’s nothing to see here and I would suggest the bookies review their odds.”
That news was followed by Villas-boas, the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss, also being ruled out. “Andre will not be working in Scotland in the foreseeable future and will not be available for comment,” said the 41-year-old’s agent, Jean-paul Lares.