![Neil McGuinness](https://domexsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Neil-McGuinness-678x381.jpg)
After two years, Lawwell resigned as Celtic’s head of first-team scouting and recruitment.
Although Celtic has not yet concluded its search for a new Head of First-Team Scouting and Recruitment, many potential candidates may be taken into consideration. Parkhead authorities will be looking to find a new talent-spotter ahead of the summer transfer window, following the decision earlier this month by lead scout Joe Dudgeon and Mark Lawwell to quit from their high-ranking position after two years in the role “to pursue fresh challenges”.
Following some dubious transfer activity, Brendan Rodgers publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of quality additions to his side since returning to Glasgow’s east end for a second stint as manager. This led to harsh criticism of the Hoops’ recruitment team in recent windows.
Considering that Lawwell, the son of Celtic chairman Peter, spent ten years working for the City Group, rising to the position of head of recruitment and scouting within the global organization that includes teams like Manchester City and Yokohama F Marinos, a large portion of his work was considered unsuccessful.
The board will have to make a major decision over who will oversee Celtic’s future transfer strategy. GlasgowWorld has looked at a few potential candidates that could be considered to fill the role that now stands between chief executive and manager.
![Left Monaco in October and reportedly held talks with Liverpool over their director of football vacancy. Previously worked alongside Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, helping recruit players like Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld. Moved on to RB Leipzig and was instrumental in signing Christopher Nkunku.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/24/18/58/GettyImages-1242435541.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Paul Mitchell
After leaving Monaco in October, there were rumored discussions about a potential director of football position at Liverpool. previously assisted in the recruitment of players like Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Kieran Trippier, and Toby Alderweireld when working with Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham. went on to RB Leipzig, where they played a key role in bringing Christopher Nkunku on board.
![His reputation as a sporting director and now managing director is growing after a period of success at German club Bayer Leverkusen. Has demonstrated just how keen his eye is for spotting talent, having recruited Florian Wirtz and even boss Xabi Alonso himself.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/24/18/53/GettyImages-1482636385.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Simon Rolfes
After a successful spell as the sporting director of German club Bayer Leverkusen, he is currently becoming more and more well-known as the managing director. has shown how good of an eye he is at identifying talent; he brought in Florian Wirtz and even boss Xabi Alonso.
![Former Bournemouth head of recruitment played down speculation linking him with a move to Celtic last May. His main body of work has seen him previously employed by the likes of Tottenham, Huddersfield Town, Ostersund, and York City, where he served as first-team manager.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/24/18/15/David%20Webb.jpg?trim=6,0,108,243&width=800)
3. David Webb
In May of last year, rumors that the former head of recruitment at Bournemouth would be joining Celtic were downplayed. He has previously worked for teams including York City, Huddersfield Town, Ostersund, Tottenham, and Ostersund, where he was the first-team manager.
![The man responsible for unearthing Virgil Van Dijk - but could he be set for a return to Celtic in this more senior role. McGuinness was previously a first-team scout for the Parkhead club where he would be responsible for global scouting and opposition analysis. Has since worked for Qatari Football Association and latterly director of scouting for MLS side Columbus Crew.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/24/18/54/Neil%20McGuinness.jpg?trim=0,46,0,45&width=800)
4. Neil McGuinness
The person who discovered Virgil Van Dijk—but is he headed back to Celtic in this more senior capacity? Prior to this, McGuinness worked as a first-team scout for the Parkhead club, where he oversaw opposition analysis and worldwide scouting. has since worked as the director of scouting for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer and the Qatari Football Association.
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