Celtic will allow Brendan Rodgers to speak with Arsenal should the club make an approach for the former Liverpool manager.
Arsene Wenger confirmed on Friday that he would step down at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on his amazing 22-year tenure.
Rodgers has rebuilt his reputation at Celtic after a disappointing end to his reign at Liverpool and he has emerged as a possible candidate to replace Wenger.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond said: ‘I’m glad he’s the favourite. He’s an outstanding person.
‘We wouldn’t want him to leave but we won’t force him to stay.
‘Hopefully his love for the club and the setup here will enduce him to stay at the club.
Next Arsenal manager odds
10/3 Patrick Vieira
6/1 Carlo Ancelotti
6/1 Thomas Tuchel
7/1 Brendan Rodgers
15/2 Leonardo Jardim
8/1 Mikel Arteta
8/1 Joachim Low
8/1 Massimiliano Allegri
8/1 Rafael Benitez
10/1 Thierry Henry
10/1 Lucien Favre
11/1 Dennis Bergkamp
14/1 Diego Simeone
16/1 Sean Dyche
16/1 Luis Enrique
20/1 Eddie Howe
20/1 Roberto Martinez
25/1 Giovanni van Bronckhorst
25/1 Unai Emery
25/1 Julian Nagelsmann
33/1 Roberto Mancini
33/1 Dragan Stojkovic
33/1 Paulo Fonseca
33/1 Didier Deschamps
All odds are courtesy of Betfair.
When asked if Celtic would allow the gunners to approach Rodgers, Desmond replied:
‘Absolutely. I don’t think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal.
‘It will be Brendan’s decision and his decision only.’