Celtic’s search for a new permanent manager has been ongoing since Brendan Rodgers stepped down last month.
Pumas manager Efraín Juárez is in the running to become Brendan Rodgers’ successor at Celtic.
On Thursday, AS Mexico reported Celtic made contact with Juárez earlier this week. It was also reported his future at Pumas is uncertain.
Celtic interest in the 37-year-old was initially reported in the UK and Excélsior provide a short update.
It’s explained the former Celtic defender has two years left on his contract with the Mexican club. That contract includes a clause that allows him to ‘leave without paying a transfer fee’ if there’s an offer from Europe.
Celtic can trigger this clause by making an offer to the Pumas boss. Whether they’ll activate it remains to be seen.
TV Azteca relay Excélsior’s report and then add Pumas’ take. Although they wouldn’t receive a fee if the manager were to leave for Celtic, this could be a ‘solution that satisfies everyone’.
Celtic links don’t shock former Real Madrid player
Pumas goalkeeper Keylor Navas has come out to defend both the club and his coach. AS Mexico have relayed the former Real Madrid star’s comments, and he isn’t surprised by the Celtic links.
“Weeks ago, the news was that Efra was leaving the team, now it’s that another team [Celtic] wants him, and that’s part of football,” he said.
“When a group has that trust, that communication, between the coaching staff and the players, it’s because we’re all on the same page.
“Everything said outside shouldn’t affect us, neither the negative nor the positive. As we always say, we can’t let the positive get us too high or the negative gets us down.
“For us as footballers, it’s a privilege when people speak well of our coach. It lets us know we’re in good hands. We know his ability and talent.
“Whether other teams want him, I don’t know if it’s true, but it wouldn’t surprise us at all. Good coaches and good players always have rumours about who wants them, but what we’re clear about is our commitment to this club.”
