Five contenders who could replace Martin O’Neill as Celtic manager at the end of the season…
Things feel like they are in turmoil at Celtic right now, and the question is no longer if Martin O’Neill will be replaced, but who comes next.
How it went so wrong is a story of poor planning and panic decisions. Brendan Rodgers was sacked in October after a 3-1 defeat at Hearts, ending a toxic stand-off over summer recruitment and a failure to reach the Champions League in the play-off against Kairat Almaty. Martin O’Neill first came in as interim and stabilised results, winning seven of eight matches to drag Celtic back into the race and calm the mood.
The Celtic board then pivoted to Wilfried Nancy in December, selling him as a progressive, possession-heavy coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Nancy lost six of his eight games, including a League Cup final to St Mirren and a Glasgow Derby defeat at Parkhead. Fans protested outside the stadium as Hearts stayed clear at the top, and the project hire blew up spectacularly.
Nancy was sacked after just 33 days, and O’Neill was re-appointed until the end of the season. Celtic are now six points off Hearts and level on points with theRangers, despite being unbeaten domestically under Martin O’Neill.
In short, recruitment has been muddled, the “project” hire collapsed, and the board has gone back to a 73-year-old firefighter to get them through to May, with the odds for Celtic to win the title again this year higher than at any stage in the last 15 years.
Speaking to Gambling.com, a trusted authority on online gambling reviews and trusted online casinos in the UK, one Celtic supporter summed up the mood: “It’s a mess right now, the worst I’ve seen it in years. The board hasn’t got a clue, and it just needs tearing down and starting again.”
O’Neill has been clear he is strictly interim, with no expectation of taking the job on a permanent basis.
Celtic need a long-term manager capable of maintaining the club’s dominance domestically while competing credibly in Europe. Here we look at five of the strongest realistic candidates…
1. Roberto Martínez
Martínez is the bookmakers’ favourite at 13/8 odds, and the Portugal manager’s future is unclear beyond this summer’s World Cup, despite winning last year’s Nations League.
The Spaniard’s strong Everton record and past interest in Celtic make him an intriguing candidate who offers the attacking flair the Celtic support demands. Martinez spent a year at Motherwell during his playing days and knows Scottish football better than most international managers.
Martínez previously managed current Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney at Wigan, winning the FA Cup together in 2013. That existing relationship could smooth his transition into the dressing room.
Supporters might question his decade away from club football, but Martínez remains one of the most tactically sophisticated managers available. A post-World Cup appointment would give Celtic time to prepare properly rather than rushing into another panicked decision.
2. Kjetil Knutsen
Kjetil Knutsen has been previously linked with Celtic and could finally get the chance to manage at a major club.
His work at Bodø/Glimt has been exceptional, winning multiple Norwegian titles and taking the club deep into the Champions League, where he’s taken points from Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.
The downside is that Knutsen signed a new contract at Bodø last year and could be expensive to prise away. The Norwegian club would demand compensation, and Knutsen has shown loyalty that suggests he would not leave without assurances about Celtic’s ambitions.
3. Graham Potter
Graham Potter is looking to rebuild his reputation following difficult spells at Chelsea and West Ham. His work at Brighton remains his calling card, transforming them into a progressive, possession-based side that competed with the Premier League’s elite.
Celtic could offer him the chance to restore his credibility away from the intense scrutiny of English football even after selling the core of their side.
Potter could follow the same route as Brendan Rodgers, who lost his identity at Leicester before rebuilding at Celtic. The Scottish Premiership would allow Potter time to implement his methods without the weekly pressure of survival battles or top-four races.
4. Ange Postecoglou
Big Ange remains a popular figure at Celtic Park despite leaving for Tottenham Hotspur. His track record of success in Glasgow speaks for itself, with two league titles, domestic cup triumphs, and a brand of football that reconnected supporters with their club.
The Aussie missed out on the Champions League with Spurs after being sacked despite winning the Europa League, making him available at precisely the moment Celtic might need a familiar face.
Postecoglou is fiery and demanding, bringing the intensity required to restore standards that have slipped under successive managers. He commands respect in the dressing room immediately. The emotional pull of returning to Glasgow may well appeal to Postecoglou, who has spoken fondly of his time in Scotland.
5. Francesco Farioli
Francesco Farioli held talks with Celtic previously, though no deal was reached. One of Europe’s most intriguing young coaches, he built Alanyaspor into the Super Lig’s top possession side and cites Arteta, Guardiola and Bielsa as key influences.
Appointing the 34-year-old would be a bet on potential rather than a proven track record. His philosophy matches the progressive style many Celtic supporters want to see, but he would need transfer backing and patience during a difficult bedding‑in period.
Handled properly, he could elevate Celtic in Europe. Mishandled, it risks another Nancy‑style collapse.
Celtic’s next appointment will define the club’s trajectory for years. Each candidate carries risk, but doing nothing guarantees failure. Hearts currently sit top of the table, theRangers are resurgent, and Celtic’s dominance can no longer be assumed. Whoever walks into Paradise this summer will inherit a mess of the Board’s making, but also an opportunity to restore one of European football’s great clubs to its rightful position.
This time the Celtic board must choose wisely but after their previous managerial selection not many Celtic supporters have much faith in their judgement. Perhaps they should involve Martin O’Neill is the selection process thus having a football man instead of a lawyer and an accountant making the big calls.
No doubt the dictatorial absentee landlord will have his nose through. Mon should select his successor. The others know f all. HH.
Do you think any of the 5 managers you mentioned may be a loan head coach ..just like the policy is for playing staff ? Lookout for the headlines around the world …Celtic FC bring in a loanee head coach ! First for football ! Where is Mad Vlad when we need him ..to sort out this damned board of grey men ?
Martinez – would probably work
Knutsen – “loyalty that suggests he would not leave without assurances about Celtic’s ambitions” – this is why we’d never get him
Potter – “The Scottish Premiership would allow Potter time to implement his methods without the weekly pressure” – this is why it wouldn’t work for Potter. He wouldn’t have time up here, particularly if we don’t win the league, as the other lot would strengthen again and it would be full on
Ange – I can’t see Ange coming back. I don’t know enough about his thoughts on the board etc but I feel he wouldn’t do it, although if he did it could work
Farioli – I don’t know enough about him, ie I haven’t watched his team lately to form a view. Could go either way as you suggest but at this stage, maybe too early
Based on who’s been successful as manager with us, there is a common theme – force of personality. The managers since Stein who’ve brought success (Caesar, Hay, Tommy, Jansen, Venglos (brought Lubo!), O’Neill, Strachan, Rodgers, Ange) vs the ones with less personality (Macari, Barnes, Deila, the ball is the ball). It’s clear that what will work for us is someone who can calm players, give that confidence and you’d assume we’d also identified that they have a footballing brain and have experience. That’s the other thing as green behind the ears managers don’t work for us (Deila, the ball is the ball).
I would take Martinez (is his wife not from here?), or Knutsen although I think it’s unlikely, McKenna or perhaps an Italian manager as they tend to be former players who’ve learned through a system of good diet, top level opponents and discipline