Celtic insight into Paul Tisdale’s appointment as Head of Football Operations

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The Celtic Star

·10 de octubre de 2025

Celtic insight into Paul Tisdale’s appointment as Head of Football Operations

Celtic bosses have outlined the procedure that resulted in Paul Tisdale’s appointment as Head of Football Operations…

Paul Tisdale the manager of Bristol Rovers looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round match between Bristol Rovers and Darlington FC at the Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2020 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The matter came up at the recent meeting between representatives of various Celtic supporters’ groups and the board on Monday night at Celtic Park, following a query about updating the club’s structure to enhance European competitiveness. In response, CEO Michael Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay pointed to Tisdale’s appointment as one of the measures already implemented.

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Those in attendance asked whether any other candidates had been considered for the role and if Tisdale had any prior connections with individuals within the club.

It was clarified that multiple individuals were consulted during the hiring process, and that Tisdale had been tasked with evaluating the club’s game model — assessing its style and structure and applying data analysis to pinpoint players suited to that framework.

He made a strong impression, and Brendan Rodgers endorsed the ultimate decision to bring him in as Head of Football Operations, according to the board.

Paul Tisdale manager of Milton Keynes Dons during the Sky Bet League One match between Milton Keynes Dons and AFC Wimbledon at Stadium mk on September 07, 2019 (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

As per Celtic FC, The minutes of the meeting read: “The meeting discussed the Head of Football Operations role and the recruitment thereof, with confirmation sought as to whether a recruitment process was followed and if other candidates were interviewed, whether there was any pre-existing connection between the Clubs’ current Head of Football Operations and any Celtic plc board members and whether the football manager was involved.”

“CMcK (Chris McKay) confirmed that the Club spoke with several potential candidates that had been identified but that there was no external recruitment consultancy appointed. MN (Michael Nicholson) confirmed that there was no family or business connection between the current Head of Football Operations and Celtic plc board members, but that individuals had crossed paths previously.”

Brendan Rodgers arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“MN confirmed that the manager supported the recruitment of Paul Tisdale following a consultancy period last summer. CMcK confirmed that Paul Tisdale had worked on a project in which he analysed the Club’s game model with a view to mapping the Club’s playing style and system with a view to using data driven results to identify players who fit the Club’s model.”

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