Harry Kewell names the Celtic star who possesses ‘so much potential’

Harry Kewell admits he jumped at the chance to follow in Ange Postecoglou’s footsteps and manage Yokohama F. Marinos.

The ex-Celtic coach was this week unveiled as Kevin Muscat’s successor at the J1 League club after a year-and-a-half at Parkhead. The 45-year-old revealed that he was initially sounded out about the job during Celtic’s summer pre-season trip to Japan, where the Hoops lost 6-4 to Yokohama in a thrilling friendly encounter.

Kewell was later approached by a member of the club’s hierarchy about taking on the role of manager, with Muscat signalling his intention to step down in November. Having worked with Postecoglou and Celtic’s Japanese contingent, Kewell knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

He said: “I was lucky enough to spend some time with Ange Postecoglou and he always talked about how wonderful the J League was and his experience over in Japan was excellent. He always spoke highly enough to me by saying, ‘If you ever have the opportunity, you should take that opportunity and work over here’.

“I was lucky enough to be here when Celtic came over in the summertime. It was a fantastic game with the Marinos and I suppose I fell in love with here. I was then lucky enough, after the final game, that the Marinos got in touch with me and asked if I would like to manage their team and I suppose it just continued from there.”

Meanwhile, Kewell namechecked Hoops flying machine and ex-Yokohama star Daizen Maeda as a major influence in his decision to move to Japan.

He added: “Working with the four or five Japanese players we had at Celtic, the understanding and the willingness for the Japanese players to learn and want to better themselves was phenomenal. Even when I used to sit and do my one-on-ones with Daizen, it was amazing how someone who had a lot of potential still wanted to learn and I found that exciting.

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