Celtic hope to appoint Eddie Howe as manager within next week

Celtic are increasingly confident that they can appoint Eddie Howe as the club’s new manager, with an announcement possible within the next week.

The former Bournemouth manager emerged as the Celtic’s hierarchy’s preferred choice as Neil Lennon’s successor, and talks in the past few days have seen principal agreement reached between the parties.

Barring any major glitches, Howe should be confirmed as the new boss as Celtic prepare for a summer of change at the club.

In addition to changing manager, chief executive Peter Lawwell is to retire at the end of the season with Scottish Rugby’s Dominic McKay arriving as his replacement. Club captain Scott Brown will leave for Aberdeen and a new structure for the football department is to be put in place.

Howe would be tasked with winning the league title after a nine-year grip on the Premiership trophy came to an end as city rivals Rangers became champions this season. Celtic are also aiming to progress in Europe under their new manager.

The 43-year-old made his name by transforming Bournemouth from a side that was on the verge of being relegated from the English Football League to one that enjoyed a five-year stay in the Premiership, finishing ninth in 2016-17. He was in charge from 2008 to 2020, barring an unsuccessful 19-month spell at Burnley from 2011 to 2012.

A club legend at Dean Court, Howe was named as Football League Manager of the Decade in 2015.

Howe left Bournemouth last summer after the club’s relegation to the Championship.