Michael Nicholson Hopelessly Out His Depth

Michael Nicholson has admitted that he can’t cope with agents!

For the CEO of a football club it is quite a big drawback.

Like a taxi driver that struggles to deal with traffic. Or a chef that has multiple food allergies.

Nicholson’s qualifications as a joke figure increase every time he is taken out of his protective bubble.

In June 2023 introducing Brendan Rodgers alongside Peter Lawwell the Celtic CEO stated that the ambition of the club was to be ‘world class in everything that we do’. That list is short. Shorter than the shortlist Nicholson drew up to replace Brendan Rodgers last year.

Appointing Wilfried Nancy prompted Nicholson into two interviews with Celtic TV. Possibly in reaction to the criticism that he received for failing to be beside the hopeless Frenchman when he was introduced to the Scottish media.

Twice in a fortnight Nicholson gushed with fake enthusiasm for ‘the number one candidate for the job’.

After 33 days that resulted in six defeats out of eight Nancy was sacked. Alongside another Nicholson appointment, Head of Football Operations, Paul Tisdale.

Nicholson hasn’t uttered a word in public since.

Until Saturday July 4 when it was decided that the AGM of the Irish Celtic Supporters Association was the audience to unleash Mute Mike.

GENUINELY- NICHOLSON BREAKS HIS SEVEN MONTH SILENCE

The night before a day of activities for the AICSC their Executive were called to see if they could take part in a box ticking exercise for Fan Engagement.

After discussion it was decided to make time for the Celtic A listers. Nicholson, Chairman Brian Wilson and Martin O’Neill to keep the audience sweet.

The Q and A session consisted of six questions from different Supporter Clubs. Without warning the Celtic delegation decided to up and leave at 5.30pm with a car waiting to take them to Dublin.

Mission accomplished.

But not before Nicholson underlined why he shouldn’t be CEO of Celtic. Or have any job of influence at the club. Nicholson was of course brought into Celtic by Peter Lawwell.

Another underqualified CEO who opted for mediocrity throughout the club, people forever grateful to big Peter for a salary way beyond their ability.

Nicholson added that the club silence was intentional. Silence is the Celtic reaction on every matter. Over the last week Celtic have been feeding three media outlets non-stop content from their training camp in Portugal.

Sitting alongside Nicholson in Cork was the club Chairman and football manager.

O’Neill 2000-2005 wouldn’t have put up with Nicholson’s attitude for a minute.

A CEO going public with his difficulty in dealing with agents!

Contact with agents is utterly essential for every football club CEO.

AGENTS ARE ESSENTIAL IN EVERY FOOTBALL TRANSFER

Every international transfer will involve at least two agents. Often agents will claim that they have the mandate for players that aren’t officially on their books.

Nicholson’s job is to suss out the better agents from the fly-by-night types.

The real story, other than Nicholson being incapable of carrying out his job is that moving to Celtic is increasingly unattractive.

Ange Postecoglou attracted players from Japan, his agent Frank Trimboli has access to almost every player across Europe. Either those that he directly works for or knowing the real agent for other targets.

Brendan Rodgers’ profile is known to players worldwide. They know him from Liverpool. That was a magnet.

Joe Hart announced in February 2024 that he was retiring in May. Nicholson had plenty of notice to source a replacement goalkeeper.

The week before the start of pre-season training he delved into his contact book for Kasper Schmeichel.

Nicholson failed Celtic badly last summer. From a Champions League Round of 16 Play Off to the Europa League in six months. All that was required was to beat Kairat Almaty.

NICHOLSON- CLONED ON LAWWELL

Nicholson failed to deliver. Rodgers resigned, Peter Lawwell crashed the AGM to save the mute CEO from a Q and A session. Nancy was appointed and sacked. All on the watch of a CEO that can’t deal with agents.

Oh, and when questioned by fans at a meeting held with the Collective Nicholson shrugged his shoulders to explain what Rodgers meant by club signings.

With Lawwell no longer in daily contact Nicholson has been found out badly. Celtic are suffering.

In September Nicholson will be five years in the salary of CEO.

For Celtic’s sake he must be sacked. Probably the knowledge that no-one competent would go near the job is keeping Nicholson in place. Draining £17,000 a week which works out at £136,000 since the Scottish Cup Final win over Dunfermline.

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