Brendan Rodgers stepped down as Celtic manager on Monday, prompting the club to appoint a short-term replacement while searching for a permanent successor. The club has turned to a familiar face in the interim, but a number of possible long-term candidates have already been linked with the Parkhead post.
Celtic moved quickly to install former manager Martin O'Neill on a temporary basis. The Hoops have struggled of late, losing back-to-back Premiership matches and slipping behind the leaders in the title race. Across all competitions they have managed only a couple of wins in their most recent seven fixtures, increasing pressure on the recruitment team to identify a long-term solution.
Martin O'Neill, who previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell as Celtic manager in the early 2000s, has returned to steady the ship on a short-term basis. The veteran coach won multiple domestic trophies during his first stint and has extensive experience in British football.
On his role at the club he stated: "I can't emphasise this enough, this is short term, until a permanent manager is appointed."
O'Neill has made clear he does not view the return as a long-term appointment and will oversee the squad while the club explores permanent options.
Several names have emerged as plausible long-term managers, each bringing differing profiles, experience and potential obstacles to appointment. Below is an overview of the most talked-about options.
Kieran McKenna, the head coach currently at Ipswich Town, is considered an attractive modern option who could revitalise Celtic. Those close to the situation say any move would carry a heavy price tag.
Ange Postecoglou is available after a brief, unsuccessful spell in the English game following his departure from Tottenham at the end of 2024-25. He was dismissed by Nottingham Forest after 39 days in charge, making that tenure unusually short.
Postecoglou remains popular with many Celtic supporters because of the success he delivered during his previous two-year stint at the club, which included a domestic treble in his second season.
Robbie Keane is another candidate with strong ties to Celtic. The former striker enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Parkhead and later moved into management overseas.
Craig Bellamy has moved into management with the Wales national team and has attracted interest from Celtic sources. The former forward also spent time on loan at Celtic as a player.
The recruitment challenge for Celtic is multi-faceted. Board members must balance managerial pedigree, tactical fit and fan sentiment with financial realities and the willingness of candidates to move. Some prospects are under contract with significant buyout clauses; others are tied to international jobs or clubs where they are making progress.
In the short term Celtic need stability to arrest their recent slide and protect domestic ambitions. In the longer term the ideal appointment will combine the ability to win trophies with a plan for squad development and European competitiveness.
The next permanent appointment will depend on how quickly the club's hierarchy can agree a profile and reach terms with a preferred candidate. While O'Neill provides temporary leadership, the search for a successor looks set to involve significant negotiation and, in some cases, substantial financial outlay.