Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou continues to be linked to Leeds Utd, with the surprise Rangers exit of Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa still fresh in the Scottish footballing memory.
The Elland Road side are on the hunt for a new manager – with now sacked ex-Villa boss Gerrard one of the names linked – as they look to stave off relegation from the Premier League.
Currently 17th place, Jesse Marsch managed only four English top flight wins this season before the axe swung with the club level on points with Everton below them, the Toffees already resurgent under Sean Dyche.
After several years in the toil of the English Championship before their promotion in 2020 – 16 to be precise – fans of the once mighty English club are nervous about an unwelcome return.
But as the hunt for a new manager continues, Ange Postecoglou is one name extensively mentioned alongside the role amid his frustratingly consistent form with our Old Firm rivals.
According to the likes of the Scottish Sun, Postecoglou is on a shortlist for the job with Leeds bosses admiring the job that he’s done at Celtic from afar.
The only other name mentioned in that report is Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola, with links to West Brom manager Carlos Corberan effectively ended by the Spaniard signing a new deal.
Ange Postecoglou to Leeds Utd?
Rangers fans will obviously be looking at those Ange Postecoglou Leeds Utd links with intrigue, as their Celtic rivals have the same cocky reactions they did when Aston Villa wanted Steven Gerrard.
Plenty were convinced that Stevie G wouldn’t jump ship and the same can be said of Postecoglou but – as we’ve seen with both Gerrard and ex-Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers – the Premier League is a golden carrot.
The situations are somewhat different; both Gerrard and Rodgers were years into their tenure when the big leagues came calling whilst Ange Postecoglou is a touch over 18 months.
Steven Gerrard’s short-lived stint with the Villains – with whom he lasted less than a year – could also be fresh in the memory with the grass not always greener outside of the Old Firm.
But for an Australian manager looking to test himself at the highest level, should Leeds Utd make an approach then that kind of chance doesn’t come around every day.
The shelf life of players and managers can be short in football and should Michael Beale have it all his own way in Scotland then Ange Postecoglou could rue not moving when his stock was highest.
It’s all very interesting and whilst we believe that any Ange Postecoglou Leeds Utd switch would be a surprise, stranger things have happened.
Rangers fans will also be hoping any potential disruption ripples through the Celtic squad.
This Ibrox side will be ruing three games in particular which have helped open up a nine point gap.