Celtic appoint Deila as new manager
The official unveiling: Deila displayed his immense pride when giving his first press conference as Celtic manager on Thursday (Picture from Getty Images)
SCOTTISH Premiership champions Celtic have confirmed the appointment of new manager Ronny Deila on a 12-month rolling contract.
The 38-year-old Norwegian takes over from Neil Lennon, who resigned from the Glasgow club after four years in charge having won three league titles, two Scottish Cups and steered them into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Deila guided Stromsgodset to their first Tippeligaen title in 43 years last term and won the Norwegian Cup in 2010.
It is believed he was originally lined up as a replacement for assistant manager Johan Mjallby, who announced in March his decision to move on this summer in search of a new challenge.
With former player Roy Keane and ex-West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke were linked with the role, Deila spoke of his "magnificent honour" to be chosen for the job and vows to continue the good work achieved by his predecessor.
"I will treasure this opportunity and will give everything I have to achieve success for Celtic," he said.
"It is a magnificent honour to be named the new manager of Celtic, one of the world’s great football clubs and a club I have such enormous respect for.
"I know what I want for Celtic and our supporters and that is the best of everything, it is what our fans deserve.
"I want to deliver the best attacking, exciting and entertaining football we can play, for the players to give their best every time they take to the field and of course I want my players to work with me to achieve the best results possible and bring trophies to Celtic.
“Celtic is in great shape and the club has enjoyed real success in recent years due to the hard work of Neil and his team.
"I want to carry on this work and continue to bring happy times to Celtic. I can’t wait to get started on this journey."
Deila took charge of Stromsgodset in 2008 following a period as a player and assistant manager at the Drammen club, who currently sit five points behind leaders Molde in second place in Norway’s top flight.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell is confident he will endear himself to the fans with an attacking brand of football.
"We believe Ronny will prove to be a fresh and dynamic new manager and someone who will give us a bright and energetic way forward for Celtic," he told the club’s official website.
"Knowing that he was so highly-rated across Europe, Ronny was one of the first candidates we considered as manager.
"Having discussed the opportunity with him at length, we are convinced he has the talent and the determination to deliver very positive results for the club and our supporters.
"Ronny likes to play attacking, winning football, the Celtic way, something I know our supporters will endorse."
Lawwell later added that the Norwegian was considering "three or four options" for an assistant coach while former Celtic and Scotland midfielder John Collins is expected to be named.
He also confirmed £300,000 compensation had to be agreed with Stromsgodset, who sold midfielder Stefan Johansen to Celtic in January, following 48 hours of negotiations.
Hoops chairman Ian Bankier also welcomed the arrival of Deila, saying: "We are delighted to have secured Ronny as Celtic manager. He is a highly regarded individual and a man who we are confident will bring great success to Celtic.
"He is a forward thinking coach and manager with a progressive approach. The Celtic Board will support Ronny fully and in every way and we look forward to working with him."
Celtic begin the 2014-15 campaign on 15 or 16 July with a Champions League second qualifying round tie but their opponents are unknown as of yet.
Last updated: 6 June 2014 16:06pm
Comments