Celtic appoint Paul Tisdale as new head of football operations

Paul Tisdale has been appointed as Celtic's new head of football operations.

The 51-year old assisted the club over the summer transfer window and now steps into a permanent role at Parkhead.

Tisdale has spent the last two decades as a manager in England, most notably leading Exeter City for 12 years.

He has also spent time in charge of MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Stevenage.

A club statement read: "Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Tisdale as Celtic’s Head of Football Operations.

"In this new strategic role reporting to the Board, Paul will oversee the development and management of effective operations to support high-level football performance, including the identification and development of talent, in line with the club’s objective to develop Champions League players through our Academy and recruitment processes.

"Additionally, Paul will work with the club’s analytics functions, supporting colleagues across the club to continuously improve our processes.

"During a playing career in the 1990s, Paul had spells with a number of clubs including Southampton and Bristol City, before injury cut his career short at the age of just 26.

"Paul then embarked on a successful career in football management, including a period of 12 years as manager of Exeter City, when the club was well known for developing its academy players.

"Following retirement from football management, in recent years Paul has provided advice and support to a number of clubs and groups of clubs on recruitment, football operations, analytics and innovation, and brings to this new role at Celtic a real wealth of knowledge and experience.

"Paul assisted the club across the summer transfer window, and now joins Celtic on a permanent basis as we seek to once again drive the club forward."

CEO Michael Nicholson added: “We are delighted to appoint Paul as Head of Football Operations, and we are sure he will bring a new dimension to our work.

'Talent identification and talent development, from our Academy through to our first team, is of fundamental importance to the club’s strategy, and Paul has tremendous expertise in these areas.'

“We are certain that he will bring great experience, energy and innovation to what we do, working alongside Brendan, our football manager, Chris McCart Head of Academy and our excellent wider football staff, to bring further development and success to the club.”

Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to bring Paul to the club in this important new role and I am really looking forward to working with him.

"He is a hugely talented man who I know will make a real positive difference to us and give us a new edge.'

“He knows modern football inside out, he understands what we need as a club, what our team needs to operate at a high level, and how we can develop positively and successfully across a number of functions within the club.

“I have known Paul for some time and have been well aware of his work. I know that he will be a huge asset to Celtic and that his knowledge, talent and tremendous work ethic will be crucial to us as we drive forward across a number of areas, always with the aim of delivering higher performance and more and more success.”

Following his appointment, Tisdale told the club's official website: “It is a huge honour to accept this new role at Celtic and join a club of such pedigree and stature.

“I can’t wait to join the team, to begin my work and deliver positive results. Celtic demands and deserves excellence across all areas and I know that that is something the Board and Brendan seek at all times.

'In my role I will be doing all I can to further develop our work across talent identification, development and analytics, always with the aim of ensuring high-level support of football performance.'

“Having knowledge already of Celtic, I know there are so many quality, authentic people at the club all pulling in the same direction and passionate for success.

“I look forward to joining them as we work together to deliver excellence for the club and our supporters.”

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