From the moment it became apparent that Celtic would not be retaining their Premiership title this season, all the talk has been about a summer rebuild.

It was initially a 'will he, won't he' back and forth on whether Neil Lennon would be the man to lead that new era. But when the Northern Irishman resigned last week, the Hoops board were forced - by furious supporters at the end of their tether - to cast their net wide in a bid to land the manager they hope will be able to re-establish the club as Scotland's top dogs.

One coach consistently linked with the vacant position is former Bournemouth and Burnley manager Eddie Howe. A vibrant, fresh boss who has been out of work since last season. Sure, he does have a relegation from the Premier League on his CV, but he also has promotion to the top tier and a proven track record of being able to successfully alter the fortunes of his clubs.

READ MORE: Who is David Webb? Man linked with Celtic's sporting director role

A man he has worked extremely closely with in recent years is another name being linked with a move to Celtic this summer. David Webb has his own history of achievements in the game, a lot of them alongside Howe. He helped the Cherries win Premier League promotion. He brought in Callum Wilson who went on to earn them £20million in a transfer to Newcastle. As did Ryan Fraser, another of his signings.

And that was just at Bournemouth. He has also been credited with bringing Heung-Min Son to England and he spotted a young Wilfried Zaha coming through the ranks as a youngster at Whitehouse Wanderers.

But it was his time with Howe that he remembers most fondly with the work they were able to do together. He describes the 43-year-old as a meticulous planner. A coach who pores over everything, from his own squad to the opposition, in great detail. He praises his loyalty as a manager who enjoys long-term strategies and what he calls 'project clubs'.

Howe, Webb says, is more likely to take a new job based on the excitement he has when considering the ambition and the project at hand. The transition period Celtic are in right now being a potentially perfect match. "With Ed it's always about the project and not necessarily the club or size of the club," Webb told Herald and Times Sport. "When he was at Bournemouth he was linked with loads of roles, clubs considered higher than Bournemouth, but he wasn't quick to jump.

"He will take his time on the right project so if he feels Celtic are that club and can fit in the values that he has, potentially yes (he'd be interested). I think Celtic are going to be a club that would be of interest to most managers. They want to win things and, historically, they're very successful. They maintain European status every year so they'll have a certain appeal.

"Then you would look at club ambition, manager suitability. Eddie is all about the project rather than a big named club. He's very loyal so if he's committed to a project, he's committed to a project. He won't be looking for a quick-fix, it will be a long project where he can build longevity and success."

Celtic, under Lennon this season, have been accused of losing their identity as a free-flowing, attack-minded side. Too often this term have the players on the pitch been patient to a fault. Sideways passes, failure of their full-backs to race to the byline, passive play as opposed to aggressive and expansive football.

Howe would address those concerns, Webb reckons. He also believes his old pal would create a family atmosphere at Lennoxtown once again, an aspect that has also been questioned at times this season. "Eddie has a very certain philosophy in the way he likes his teams to play, he's got a certain way he likes his players to integrate and work in that team," he added. "But ultimately he likes to know the person, their character.

READ MORE: In detail: Neil Lennon's disaster Celtic season from dismal results to explosive Dubai presser and flop signings

"He likes to know personal information about his players before he signs them. Like any manager, the dressing room is quite sacred so we had something at Bournemouth where we had certain character traits we tried to identify on and off the pitch for the best chance of succeeding.

"He didn't have a particular type of player, but he had a certain philosophy and a certain playing style and way he liked to do things. He liked his players to complement and improve that. To fit in, the characteristics were the human side. They didn't need to be a squeaky-clean choir boy but someone who can integrate with the current group. Part of that in recruitment was understanding who he was working with on a day-to-day basis."

The Hoops hierarchy, while looking for a new manager, are also hunting for a new sporting director and Webb looks like he would more than fit the bill. And, perhaps, the double-act of himself and Howe running together once again would appeal to both men as well as the Glasgow giants.

Webb has a masters in sport psychology. He has worked in Sweden as Ostersunds' technical director, as Tottenham Hotspurs' head of elite recruitment with Mauricio Pochettino and as head of football operations at Huddersfield in the Premier League. His experience and knowledge of the game is not to be denied.

But whether it's with Howe or Pochettino, now at PSG, Webb has always had the same philosophy. "You always have to adapt to certain managers and roles and the way they work," he said. "That's sensible. For me though I also want to keep who I am and hopefully that balances quite well.

"With Mauricio it differed in some ways in training intensity, his demand in work ethic in players. He was very personable. Ed was very meticulous and really good with players on a one-to-one basis. Poch liked to make it a family environment at the training ground.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe won't be fazed by Celtic fan protest scenes but he'd prefer EPL job, reckons Barnes

"So for both, they are different in a lot of ways but in the way they're both environment-orientated, they understand that for a club to be successful, the first part is the 11 on the pitch but also try and filter down the club and build a real positive environment. For my role it's much more comfortable working like that with managers to build a club and also build further success.

"A sporting director's job should be there to support the first-team in every aspect necessary. The manager or coach is there to win football matches and improve, develop the players. The sporting director is more of a structural role to support that and try to deliver a long-term strategy for the club."