Celtic are close to appointing unknown quantity Ange Postecoglou as their new manager, according to reports.
The Bhoys' talks with ex-Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe collapsed on Friday due to reasons 'outwith both his and Celtic’s control', the Scottish giants revealed in a statement.
Celtic then moved into advanced talks with another manager, with the club revealing on Friday they were set to announce a new manager 'very shortly'.
And according to The Telegraph, last year's Scottish Premier League runners-up are close to appointing former Australian national team coach Postecoglou - who is currently managing Japanese top-flight side Yokohama F. Marinos.
Postecoglou has spent almost his entire career both playing and managing in Australia, despite being born near Athens.
As a manager, he won the A-League Premiership title with Brisbane Roar in 2011, while he also lifted the 2015 Asia Cup as manager of Australia.
He led the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup where they exited at the group stage in a group with Spain, Chile and Holland. Postecoglou also qualified them for the 2018 World Cup but resigned two weeks after that achievement.
The Greek-born Australian is not Celtic's number one target for the vacant manager role, with that title previously given to ex-Bournemouth man Howe.
Talks to bring his former Bournemouth Technical Director Richard Hughes and first team coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone to Glasgow collapsed when Howe was unable to assemble the team he wanted.
Celtic released a statement on Thursday, which read: 'Following very positive and detailed discussions with Eddie Howe, with the belief that he would be an excellent candidate for the position of Celtic Manager, we allowed time for the process, given he’d previously made it clear he was not looking to return to management until this summer at the earliest.
'We can now confirm that Eddie will not be joining the Club, for reasons outwith both his and Celtic’s control. We wish Eddie success for the future.
'As part of the ongoing process we have engaged with a number of candidates. We fully appreciate our fans will be seeking clarity on this matter and we aim, very shortly, to announce the appointment of a Manager with the quality and desire to take Celtic forward and bring further success to our supporters.'
The Parkhead club also spoke to Manchester City under-23 coach Enzo Maresca before the Italian penned a deal with Parma on Thursday.
Talks also took place with Roy Keane, with former Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre and former Parkhead captain Paul Lambert other possibilities.