Harry Kewell joins Celtic backroom staff under Ange Postecoglu as Stephen McManus changes role

Former Leeds United and Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell has joined countryman Ange Postecoglu at Celtic as part of the club’s coaching staff.

The 43-year-old, who lifted the Champions League with the Anfield club, has been appointed as a first-team coach at the cinch Premiership champions in a reshuffle that sees Stephen McManus move over to the side’s B-team.

The former Australian international previously had spells as a manager in the lower echelons of English football with Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham and Barnet.

He has been without a club since being sacked by the Bees in September last year following seven games without a win.

He told the Celtic website: “I can’t wait to join up with Ange, the coaching staff and players for the challenges ahead and hope to play my part in our future success.

“To turn things around and become Champions so quickly is a huge testament to Ange and everyone else at the club.

“The manager is synonymous with attacking, exciting football, something he delivered on last season and something I know Celtic fans have loved right across the generations.

“We will be aiming to give our fans more of the same going forward and I look forward to playing my part in bringing this to our supporters.”

Former Celtic defender McManus meanwhile will now work alongside Tommy McIntyre with the second-string in the Lowland League.

Postecoglu added: “I am really pleased that Harry has agreed to join my staff. He knows the game inside out at the highest level and wants to play football the way myself and my team see it.

“I know he is hugely excited about joining Celtic, he is well aware of the scale of the club, what our ambitions are and I know he will make a really positive difference to my team.

“I was keen to restructure our coaching set up, a critical part of this was having a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures – and Stephen’s role will also be hugely important for us as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team, directly up to the first team.”