Celtic coach Strachan rejects English club manager offer - Sources

By Wayne Veysey

30th Nov, 2021 | 7:00am

Sources: Celtic coach Strachan makes up mind on offer to manage English club

Celtic coach Gavin Strachan has rejected an offer to become the new Hartlepool United manager, Football Insider understands.

The 42-year-old became odd-ons favourite to take over the League Two club yesterday following the departure of Dave Challinor.

But a Celtic source has told Football Insider that Strachan is out of the running to return to the club where he spent four years during his playing days.

He has opted to remain at Celtic as first-team coach, a position he has held for the last 18 months.

That is a major boost to manager Ange Postecoglou, who has raved about the impact of Strachan behind the scenes.

There had been a clamour for Strachan and John Kennedy to leave during the summer when Postecoglou was appointed.

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But Celtic wanted continuity in their coaching ranks rather than allow the Australian to bring in his own staff.

Strachan, who is the son of Parkhead idol and former manager Gordon, has previously coached at EFL clubs Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers.

He was the assistant to Darren Ferguson on both occasions but left Posh 18 months ago to link up with Celtic on Neil Lennon’s staff.

He has never held a top job at a professional club although he had a spell as manager of non-league Ilkeston Town in 2015.

Strachan was on the touchline when Covid hit the Hoops squad in January 2021.

During the 2-0 infamous defeat to Ross County last season, Strachan came under fire for showing then-boss Neil Lennon something on his laptop with seven minutes left on the clock and the Hoops staring a League Cup exit in the face.

In other news, Celtic are in line for a stunning £10m windfall, with a seven-figure sum already bagged.