Football
Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer 3y

Celtic set to appoint ex-Australia boss Ange Postecoglou - sources

Celtic are on the verge of confirming Ange Postecoglou as their new manager, sources have told ESPN.

Postecoglou has agreed personal terms, and Celtic have settled compensation with J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos. Sources have told ESPN Postecoglou is due to take up the post in July.

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Celtic also needed the approval of UEFA for the move, as Postecoglou does not hold a UEFA Pro License. With all terms agreed, he is set to replace Neil Lennon, who resigned as Celtic boss in February.

Postecoglou, 55, has been in charge of Yokohama since 2018, and led them to the J1 title in 2019. He has also won the A-League with Brisbane Roar, and managed Australia from 2013 to 2017, where he won the 2015 Asian Cup.

He emerged as a surprise contender for the Celtic job after the Scottish club's talks with Eddie Howe broke down in mid-May. And he has received the backing from ex-Scotland boss Gordon Strachan, who said on TalkSport: "If you look at what [Postecoglou] does -- and the people that have worked with him -- you're talking a top manager here.

"There's no point asking pundits as they've never seen him playing, watched his training or games, or spoken to his players. Ask the players who work with a coach what he's like and then you'll find the truth.

"The Celtic people are excited about this. I'm sure Ange will be a success. And I'm excited to get someone outside the box who's not just a name we regularly see.

"I want to see new people in front of a camera and new training methods. And I think that's what we're going to get."

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