Who Are the Leading Candidates for the Celtic Job?

The Resignation of Brendan Rodgers: A New Era Begins at Celtic

Brendan Rodgers, the former Liverpool and Swansea City manager, resigned from his position as Celtic head coach on Monday, marking a new chapter for the Scottish giants. This departure comes after recent poor performances, including two successive Premiership losses and an eight-point deficit to table-toppers Hearts.

Quick Action: O’Neill Back in the Dugout

Celtic’s swift response was to bring back former manager Martin O’Neill as interim boss. O’Neill last managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, during which he won seven trophies including three Premiership titles. His first assignment is a critical match against Falkirk on Wednesday.

Emerging Candidates: McKenna, Postecoglou, Keane, Bellamy

A number of potential candidates are in the running for the permanent managerial position at Celtic:

• Kieran McKenna, head coach of Ipswich Town, is seen as an attractive prospect but could face financial hurdles to move. Ipswich currently sit 12th in the Championship.
• Ange Postecoglou, former Celtic manager and current Australia national team coach, has lost his job at Nottingham Forest due to poor performance. Postecoglou’s earning power has significantly increased since leaving Celtic for Tottenham in 2023, though it remains unclear if this will influence a return to Scotland.
• Robbie Keane, former Celtic striker who played under Rodgers and was named Player of the Year in 2010, is also a candidate. He recently managed Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros to success.
• Craig Bellamy, a key figure as a player for Celtic, has taken his first steps into management with the Wales national team but could be difficult to lure away from the international stage.

Expert Perspectives: The Future of Celtic

The search for a new permanent manager at Celtic is seen by many as crucial to reviving the club’s fortunes. Former Celtic players and managers have their own views on who might be best suited for the role:

“I can’t emphasise this enough, this is short term, until a permanent manager is appointed,” said Martin O’Neill after his appointment.

With the club eight points behind Hearts in the Premiership and only two wins in their last seven matches across all competitions, Celtic’s fans are eagerly watching the unfolding situation. The choice of a new manager could significantly impact not just this season but potentially future successes for one of Scottish football’s most prestigious clubs.