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Page last updated at 08:28 GMT, Wednesday, 3 June 2009 09:28 UK

Jansen rejects Adams' Celtic link

Tony Adams
Adams won only two of 16 Premier League games with Portsmouth

Former Celtic boss Wim Jansen has denied ever recommending Tony Adams for the manager's post at Parkhead.

Adams claimed he was in the frame, should Jansen return to Celtic in the role of technical director.

However, Jansen said: "Sure, I worked with Tony in Holland when he was coaching there and I know him well. We have a good relationship.

"But it's a little while since we have been in contact. And I have never suggested anything about Celtic."

Adams has been out of the game since being sacked by Portsmouth in February, having won just four of 22 games in charge, and a Celtic source was quick to rubbish his claims.

Prior to his spell in charge at Fratton Park, the former Arsenal and England captain was number two to Harry Redknapp at Pompey, after an ill-fated spell in charge of Wycombe and coaching jobs in the Netherlands with Utrecht and Feyenoord.

It was in the latter role that he worked with Jansen, who was technical advisor to the club at the time, and Adams talked of the two working together in a European-style management structure at Celtic.

"When Celtic approached Wim he very kindly said that Tony Adams was the man they needed to go and get," he said.

"I'm very interested. I do love winning things, so it does appeal but as of yet, no phone calls."

"I really appreciate and I'm really thankful that there are people in the game who are batting for me and putting me up for the jobs," said Adams.

"By saying manager, it is kind of a head coach's position really because once you have a technical director like you have in Europe, they help you with recruitment.

"As long as you have the final say of who comes in and out, these people are your help in the boardroom.

"I never had that at Portsmouth. It works for me and Celtic is an unbelievable club, you have a 50% chance of winning something up there."

Jansen was head coach of Celtic during the 1997-98 season, but despite leading them to the Scottish Premier League title - their first in 10 years - and winning the League Cup, he left at the end of the season due to a clash with general manager Jock Brown.

606: DEBATE
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Celtic have been without a manager since Gordon Strachan resigned on 25 May, just one day after surrendering the league title to Rangers.

On Monday, Swansea claimed they had made an official approach for boss Roberto Martinez.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has expressed his interest in the vacancy, while West Brom's Tony Mowbray and Burnley's Owen Coyle are also thought to be candidates but Everton boss David Moyes has ruled himself out of the running.



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Docherty backs Martinez for Bhoys
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Moyes rules out return to Celtic
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Celtic want Swans boss Martinez
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Strachan resigns as Celtic boss
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Can Adams prove Pompey wrong?
10 Feb 09 |  Portsmouth
Adams 'surprised' at Pompey axe
09 Feb 09 |  Portsmouth
Adams made errors, says Claridge
09 Feb 09 |  Portsmouth
Portsmouth confirm Adams sacking
09 Feb 09 |  Portsmouth
Beleaguered Adams vows to fight
31 Jan 09 |  Portsmouth
Adams named new Portsmouth boss
28 Oct 08 |  Portsmouth