By Wayne Veysey

5th Jun, 2023 | 11:54am

Revealed: Celtic begin new manager search, Enzo Maresca is top contender

Celtic have started the search for a new manager, sources have told Football Insider.

Ange Postecoglou has informed the club’s board he has accepted Tottenham’s offer to become their permanent replacement for Antonio Conte.

Spurs are now set for talks with Celtic about paying the compensation sum in Postecoglou’s rolling 12-month contract.

The Hoops are now planning for life after the man who steered them to a remarkable treble in the season just completed.

Club chiefs are drawing up a shortlist of candidates who can carry on Postecoglou’s hugely impressive work.

One man they are set to consider is Man City assistant manager Enzo Maresca.

Football Insider revealed on 26 May that the Hoops have been keeping tabs on Maresca in the event of Ange Postecoglou’s departure.

The 43-year-old has recently rejected an offer to be the Southampton manager.

The Scottish champions are aware of Maresca’s qualities due to their behind-the-scenes links with City, with Hoops recruitment chief Mark Lawwell having worked at the Etihad prior to taking up the role at Parkhead in 2022.

Marseca has had an impressive assistant career so far, working at City, West Ham and Sevilla but has only taken charge of one club so far.

The Italian left the Cityzens in 2021 to take over at Parma but was sacked after just six months following a poor run of results where his side won just four out of 14 games whilst he was at the helm.

In other news, Celtic land £27m windfall with extra £6m bonus guaranteed.