According to Wales Online, Swansea City manager Graham Potter has emerged as a shock candidate to take over the job at Celtic on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
The Scottish Sun reports that the 43-year-old has his name amongst the long list of potential candidates drawn up by Celtic, as the hierarchy aims to find a long-term successor to the throne of Brendan Rodgers, who left for Leicester City last month.
The same report claims that interim manager and club legend Neil Lennon is in pole position to land the job on a permanent basis but Celtic are keeping their options open to make sure that they appoint the right person.
Lennon spent seven years as a player at Parkhead before enjoying a four-year stint as the manager from 2010-14.
It would be of little surprise if Celtic do appoint Lennon as the permanent manager as he has done pretty well since taking charge on a temporary basis following Rodgers’ departure and has ensured that the Bhoys cruise to the domestic title.
However, Celtic’s interest in Graham Potter should please the fans at Parkhead as it is a clear indication that the club are seeking a long-term replacement.
Potter has impressed since taking charge of Swansea City last summer following their relegation from the Premier League, working with a tight budget and guiding the club to 13th in the Championship in his first season as a manager in English football.
Swansea haven’t been able to mount a significant challenge for immediate promotion back to the Premier League but few would argue that Potter has been instrumental in transforming their fortunes as a part of a long-term project.
It has been quite apparent from Swansea’s style of play and their approach in the transfer market that want to get back to the Premier League but they want to carve out an identity for themselves as well.
The Swans, under Potter, have looked impressive at times and have earned plaudits for their possession-based attractive football, which involves building the play from the back.
To add to that, Potter has done a tremendous job in bringing up young talents like Daniel James and Conor Roberts at Swansea, which is another thing that Celtic must consider.
Potter earned rave reviews for his tactical intelligence and flexible approach back in his earlier managerial days at Ostersund in Sweden, helping the club secure promotion from the second tier and eventually make a name for themselves in the top flight.
It was under his stewardship that Ostersund made it to the Europa League group stages for the first time in their history and his stocks rose even higher when the club beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the Round of 32 of the 2017-18 Europa League.
Regarded as a modern-day manager who believes in a dynamic approach to the game, Potter not only brings in new ideas but he knows to how implement them as well.
Known for his flexibility, the 43-year-old is never afraid to experiment with his team dynamics and often tends to play different systems over the course of the ninety minutes to keep the opposition on their toes.
Moreover, his free-flowing possession-based attractive football is sure to endear him to the hearts of the fans at Parkhead.
Despite Celtic’s interest in Potter, it would be foolish for Swansea to let him go and it remains to be seen whether he throws away the chance to climb up the ladder as a manager in English football.
However, managing a team with European ambitions should appeal to the 43-year-old and a move to Celtic would offer him a better chance of making a big reputation for himself in Europe.
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That said, Graham Potter would be an ideal choice if Celtic are indeed planning for the long-term. They have stamped their authority in the domestic league in recent years but Potter’s intelligence and acumen might help them make an impression in the European competitions as well.