Fran Alonso: Where does manager's exit leave Celtic?
- Published
Fran Alonso won his second Scottish Cup with Celtic last term
After nearly four years in charge, Fran Alonso has left Celtic for Houston Dash.
The Spaniard who donned the eye-catching white jacket leaves last year's league runners-up second in the SWPL and with three more trophies in the cabinet than when he joined in January 2020.
While the 47-year-old conquered the cups, the search for the club's maiden league title is still on, despite coming within minutes of doing so last term.
With that the ultimate aim for Celtic, who trail league leaders Rangers by three points, where does his exit leave the club in their pursuit - and how do they go about achieving that without the Spaniard at the helm?
Solve striking quandary
One may look at the SWPL table and see Celtic with a league-high 81 goals and be left bemused at the assertion that they have problems up front, but bear with it.
Alonso landed in the East End of Glasgow from Lewes, after spells serving under Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino, but from his time in the Women's Championship, he didn't only bring his own experiences but dipped expertly into a market he knew so well.
Tash Flint was a successful signing for Alonso last season
Last season's title challenge was propelled by the loan signing from Leicester City of Tash Flint, who Alonso had come up against. After trying to sign her multiple times, he finally got his wish.
While the 26-year-old never signed permanently, instead joining Liverpool, she was a classy edition and scored in the Scottish Cup final.
The physical void the goal machine left has not been filled, with Scotland international Amy Gallacher instead playing slightly out of position. An orthodox number nine will certainly be on the new manager's wish-list.
The aforementioned Gallacher has softened the Flint blow, but support wouldn't go amiss. Celtic could also do with finding a style that suits both the 25-year-old and American Kit Loferski.
The duo have a combined 24 goals but seldom start together. A solution to such a problem could prove priceless.
Keep calm and carry on
Perhaps the best approach is not to change too much. Don't go about ripping about the blueprint. Or green-print...
Celtic were a whisker away from realising their dream in May. If it hadn't been for Lauren Davidson's last-gasp strike for Glasgow City against Rangers at Ibrox, the champagne would have been popping at Celtic Park.
They're not far away, even without a striker like Flint. Gallacher, along with Caitlin Hayes - who Alonso also knew from his period down south - and Colette Cavanagh, to name a few, have all stepped up to the plate.
Twice they have overpowered reigning champions City, in the league and the cup. However, they did fall short against leaders Rangers, whose potent forward Rio Hardy came up trumps that afternoon.
The ingredients are there at Celtic. A consistent mix of experience and youth. They are just calling for someone to blend it all together.
They may struggle to find someone as effervescent as Alonso, but if that sought-after SWPL crown is acquired, you can guarantee he and his white jacket will be spotted in the celebrations.