It's always interesting to cast your mind back to just under a year ago, especially when evaluating Celtic as a whole.

Indeed, the club were preparing for a Scottish Cup final versus then-Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, which coincidentally was to be the last game with Ange Postecoglou at the helm of the champions. Speculation was rife, especially with rumours that Tottenham Hotspur had sounded out the Australian to replace the already departed Antonio Conte as head coach of the North London side.

Of course, that did turn out to be the case, as David Ornstein of The Athletic reported the day after Celtic’s 3-1 cup final victory that Postecoglou was headed south. The club that gave him his first proper European managerial chance were now effectively managerless, with personal terms and agreements not expected to be a problem between the departing coach and the wealthy Premier League outfit. Many were resigned to the inevitable conclusion that Celtic’s main man was away, given his age, style and the size of the club that had come calling. A sad farewell to a manager that had revolutionised Celtic from the ground up.

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Managerial battle plans had to be drawn by the Celtic hierarchy to find a suitable replacement for the all-conquering Aussie. Five trophies in just two seasons spelt out an admittedly difficult act to follow for the next person in charge of on-field matters at the club. This was going to take some time to finalise, one way or another. After all, how do you replace a man and manager like Postecoglou?

For all of the stick and criticism that the club get from all angles – especially in player recruitment – Celtic know a manager when they see one. When Postecoglou left for the bright lights of London, one familiar name brought a level of nostalgia to those who follow the club: that of Enzo Maresca. A player for the likes of Juventus, Sevilla and West Bromwich Albion to name a few, the former midfielder was a wanted man in the managerial world.

If you keep up to date with current affairs concerning football, then you will know that the Italian is the flavour of the month when it comes to up-and-coming coaches. First linked with the Celtic post back in 2021 following Neil Lennon’s eventual departure in the ill-fated ‘10 In A Row’ season, the then-Manchester City EDS (Elite Development Squad) manager was touted for the step up into management, which came at a disappointing spell with Parma in Serie B later that year. After coming back to Manchester to work alongside Pep Guardiola, his name was again linked with the vacant Celtic post, though the club opted to allow Brendan Rodgers to complete a stunning return to the side he left over four years prior. Funnily enough, Maresca would take charge of Leicester City - the side that dismissed Rodgers earlier that year – who found themselves in the Championship after suffering relegation.

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Fast-forward a year, and Maresca is due to be announced as the new Chelsea manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino after just a solitary season in charge of the club. By far the best side in the Championship last season, Maresca’s Foxes cunningly bounced straight back up at the first attempt, which has seemingly convinced Todd Boehly’s rollercoaster Chelsea circus to hand him a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Quite a turnaround in fortunes for a man who was a risky appointment by Leicester just over a year ago.

Maresca was not the only high-level operator that Celtic managed to sound out that summer, as some of the highest-rated young managers were linked to the club in the two weeks that Celtic had this position lying vacant. Kieran McKenna – the orchestrator of Ipswich Town’s phoenix-like rise from League 1 to Premier League – was linked for a spell, whilst Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola had his name touted before Bournemouth took a chance on the Spaniard, a good decision given their league placing. Even Ajax’s new manager Francesco Farioli was a viable link, with the Italian moving to Nice in Ligue 1 that same summer. The 35-year-old will be one to watch in the next decade, as his trajectory is on the up in the footballing world.

What this goes to show is that Celtic are extremely well-placed when it comes to the identification of top-quality managers in and around Europe. The club’s failed pursuit of Eddie Howe in 2021 further underlines this point, as the former Bournemouth manager has done a great job since taking the reins at Saudi-backed Newcastle United, despite being bankrolled by Middle-Eastern royalty. Postecoglou was identified almost immediately after Howe backed out, and the rest is history.

Of course, Celtic will be hoping that this is not a process that they will have to undertake for a good few years, due to Rodgers’ return. Despite an up-and-down season, in which he had to deal with injuries, re-acclimatising to Scotland and winning over a mixed fanbase, the Northern Irishman has managed to deliver a domestic double in his first season back. With a busy summer in wait – both on and off the pitch – you would assume that it will be an easier process this summer compared to last year.

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Still, the fact that the club have been able to identify quite a few of Europe’s brightest young managerial prospects is an achievement in itself, though you would hope this talent spotting would make its way to on-field matters, too. After all, Celtic’s playing staff recruitment drive has been extremely mixed - at best. Better results must be achieved in scouting and transfers before we can call the club ‘best in class’ concerning recruitment in all other areas.

A busy summer ahead, for sure, but one with a guarantee of who will be at the managerial helm, which was not the case this time last year. The Rodgers era is now very much underway – let’s see where he takes the club this time around.