Celtic’s coaching staff didn’t change much with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager this year so who does the Celtic manager rely on?

Celtic Assistant Manager – John Kennedy

Scottish professional football coach and former player John Kennedy was born on August 18, 1983.

He currently serves as Celtic’s assistant manager in the Scottish Premiership. Kennedy has assisted Neil Lennon, Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers, and Ange Postecoglou as a scout, first-team coach, and manager since retiring.

In addition to playing centre-back for Norwich City and Celtic, he was a Scotland international cap winner. During his March 2004 international debut, he sustained a devastating knee injury. Unable to fully recover, he retired in 2009.

Kennedy has worked at Celtic as a coach and scout since he retired from competition. 

He was named the team’s assistant manager in February 2019 and took over as interim manager in February 2021 following Neil Lennon’s departure from Celtic. 

He returned to his role as assistant manager after Ange Postecoglou was hired as manager.

Celtic First Team Coach – Gavin Strachan

In the summer of 2020, Gavin Strachan became the first-team coach, replacing Damien Duff, who left to focus on his new position as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland, where he worked under Stephen Kenny, the man who had succeeded former Celtic player Mick McCarthy.

After serving as Peterborough’s youth coach for four years, Ilkeston was Strachan’s first managerial appointment in 2015. Later that year, he reunited with Darren Ferguson as Doncaster Rovers’ assistant manager.

In 2019, Strachan also moved to Peterborough as assistant manager when Ferguson took over as manager for the third time. However, Celtic moved quickly, and he signed on June 22, 2020.

Celtic Goalkeeping Coach – Stevie Woods

Stoppers like Artur Boruc, Fraser Forster, and Craig Gordon attest to the fact that Celtic have been blessed with a wealth of keepers that would shine in any side since Stevie Woods took over the position in 2007.

Another important factor in Celtic’s trophy-laden recent years is the fact that their goals against columns have made for interesting reading in recent years.

After playing goalkeeping for Clydebank, Preston North End, Motherwell, and St Mirren, he went on to coach at Livingston and Dunfermline before Celtic made a move for him. As with any of the wonderful players the Celtic scouting system has produced for the team in recent years, we owe a great deal of gratitude to them for identifying Stevie Woods.

Celtic Professional Player Pathway Manager – Shaun Maloney

In this vital new post, Shaun Maloney will work with the first-team manager, Brendan Rodgers, the Head of Academy Coaching, and the club’s B Team and Academy Coaches to ensure the proper development of Celtic players.

The role will also handle loan chances to assist the player’s pathway and development prospects by developing and maintaining excellent relationships with teams across leagues, both in Scotland and beyond.

UP NEXT: Celtic fixtures 2025/26

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