Pep Guardiola to play Celtic kingmaker for Dermot Desmond in next boss search as Enzo Maresca awaits seal of approval

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has the small matter of a Champions League Final to focus on – but a phone call to Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond could be on the agenda post-match.

Guardiola will be creating his plan to see off Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday with trusted lieutenant Enzo Maresca and his City coaching team as the English Premier League giants looks to claim a Treble and their first Champions League victory. And while all talk of Maresca heading for the exit door this summer has been put on hold until after the Final of Europe's elite competition, Guardiola could play a key role in who replaces Ange Postecoglou in the dugout of the Scottish Premiership champions.

The Celtic connections with the City Group run deep having picked up their previous manager from another affiliated club – Yokohama F Marinos – while head of recruitment and scouting at Parkhead Mark Lawwell previously worked within the organisation. And there appears to be a strong relationship between Pep and majority shareholder Desmond.

Back in 2021, Desmond reportedly bumped into Guardiola in a hotel and discussed issues surrounding bringing Eddie Howe to the club. The Manchester City boss talked up Postecogolou and his achievements in the J-League having kept tabs on the Greek-Aussie since facing off with the now-Tottenham boss back in a pre-season friendly in 2019.

Desmond took the advice – then watched the Hoops claim five of the next six trophies on offer in Scotland during the next two campaigns. After Postecoglou landed the Spurs job, the Spaniard was among the first to congratulate the "exceptional manager".

The twice Champions League-winning boss could reprise his role as kingmaker this summer - with Alan Brazil hinting at a