Harry Kewell has joined Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou as a first-team coach | Football News

Former Australia star Harry Kewell has joined Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou as a first-team coach.

Kewell, 43, has been out of work since being sacked by side Barnet last year after just four months in charge of the National League side.

Postecoglou revealed he decided against adding to his coaching setup initially and was assisted by John Kennedy, while Stephen McManus, Gavin Strachan and Stevie Woods made up the backroom team.

However, after clinching the Scottish Premiership title and League Cup in his first season, Postecoglou has turned to the former Liverpool and Leeds attacker who has joined as a first-team coach.

Postecoglou said: “I am really pleased that Harry has agreed to join my staff. He knows the game inside out at the highest level and wants to play football the way myself and my team see it. I know he is hugely excited about joining Celtic, he is well aware of the scale of the club, what our ambitions are and I know he will make a really positive difference to my team.

“I was keen to restructure our coaching set up, a critical part of this was having a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures – and Stephen’s role will also be hugely important for us as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team, directly up to the first team.

“The B Team will again compete in the Lowland League, something which will be a crucial development opportunity for our young players as they aim to progress and advance further. I wanted a really strong connection to the development of our B Team and Stephen, with his knowledge of our current first-team philosophy and demands will be ideal in this role.”

Kewell added: “It is a massive honour to join Celtic and team up with Ange. He and his backroom team and the players have done brilliantly in their first year together, producing winning football in a great style. To turn things around and become Champions so quickly is a huge testament to Ange and everyone else at the club.

“The manager is synonymous with attacking, exciting football, something he delivered on last season and something I know Celtic fans have loved right across the generations. We will be aiming to give our fans more of the same going forward and I look forward to playing my part in bringing this to our supporters.

“Celtic is a club the whole world knows and admires and it will be a privilege to be part of such a fantastic footballing institution. I am well aware of the demands and responsibility which comes with the territory at such a massive club and this is something which excites me and I am sure everyone else lucky enough to be associated with Celtic.

“I can’t wait to join up with Ange, the coaching staff and players for the challenges ahead and hope to play my part in our future success.

“I’m ready to work and am really looking forward to getting started.”

Postecoglou reflects on his first year at Celtic

A year ago Celtic looked to the relatively unknown Ange Postecoglou to revitalise a club in turmoil and he silenced doubters by winning the Scottish Premiership title and League Cup during his debut season.

Postecoglou’s start to life at Parkhead did not begin brightly, failing to win his first three matches which resulted in a Champions League exit and an opening-day defeat to Hearts in the league.

However, the Australian always insisted he would not waiver from his footballing philosophy of attacking, entertaining and relentless football, and piece by piece he rebuilt a struggling side who were blown aside by Rangers the previous season.

The title win came at Tannadice on a Wednesday night in May, with the manager promising this was only the beginning for him and his emerging talent at Celtic.

“I’ve had a lot of success but this is definitely the hardest challenge and the hardest year I’ve ever had,” said the former Australian manager as he reflected on 365 days in charge.

“I did an interview after the game and I couldn’t put into words exactly what was the strongest emotion.

“I think looking back now and the way we finished off in the last game, I think there was a part of me that said, ‘no, I don’t want this to be the full stop’.

“This season was about building the first foundation of a team that I hope will be competing and be successful in the Premiership for the next few years.”

With Celtic’s title win comes qualification for the group stages of the Champions League and Postecoglou is looking for his team to grow on the biggest stage in European football.

“My role is to make us better next year, we need to be better,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s the same in the Champions League, our role is to get there and make an impact.

“It’s not just about making an impact next year, it’s about building a team that will continually make an impact and that takes time.

“We’ve had a process, we’ve had success in the transfer market without a massive spend. That’s the club we are and that’s the area I want us to continue to grow in and that’s what we’ll do.”