Celtic Appoint Martin O'Neill as Interim Manager After Brendan Rodgers Exit
Martin O'Neill returns to Celtic as interim manager after Brendan Rodgers' departure, set to lead the team until a permanent replacement is found.
“I sometimes wondered throughout my career whether I ever really, really enjoyed it...”
Martin O'Neill is embracing the challenge of his surprise return to Celtic as interim manager, determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity. After stepping in to replace Brendan Rodgers on a temporary basis, O'Neill is focused on stabilizing the team and securing positive results.
O'Neill's return to Celtic is a short-term arrangement, with the club searching for a younger, permanent manager to take the reins. Despite his temporary role, O'Neill is committed to winning games and giving the team momentum, allowing the club breathing room to find a suitable replacement.
Welcome back, Martin #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/ZbWk2lAo6m
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 28, 2025
The 73-year-old Martin O'Neill is no stranger to Celtic, having had a successful stint in charge of the team from 2000 to 2005. With a plethora of experience under his belt, O'Neill has come to realize that life's too short for stress. Having managed several high-profile teams, including Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Leicester, O'Neill has earned the right to take it easy.
O'Neill's return to Celtic is more about keeping the seat warm until a new permanent manager is appointed. He's taken on the interim role, alongside Shaun Maloney, to ensure a smooth transition. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, O'Neill is the perfect candidate to guide the team through this period. His laid-back approach will likely be a breath of fresh air for the players.
“I sometimes wondered throughout my career whether I ever really, really enjoyed it. And I'm probably too miserable to enjoy it. But now, at this ripe old age, I'm going to try and enjoy it,” O'Neill told reporters at his official unveiling on Tuesday.
“But the only way I will do, the only way I've ever lived it, is really by trying to win football matches.
“So from that viewpoint, I had no, well, I say no hesitation. I was given only 10 minutes to make my mind up. And so I had to do it in that time. So I'm fine with it.”
The breakdown in Brendan Rodgers' relationship with Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond was laid bare in a damning statement. Desmond expressed frustration over Rodgers' public comments regarding the club's summer signings and the unresolved contract situation.
Rodgers' comments about the club's transfer business “came entirely out of the blue,” according to Desmond, who claimed Rodgers never raised concerns during their discussions. Desmond squarely blamed Rodgers for Celtic's struggles, citing a “desire for self-preservation” as the reason for the team's decline.
Celtic's situation is precarious, trailing eight points behind league leaders Hearts after a 3-1 defeat on Sunday. The club's failure to qualify for the Champions League has exacerbated the pressure, and the board faces intense scrutiny from fans.
O'Neill, a three-time Scottish title winner with Celtic, felt a strong sense of loyalty to Irish businessman Dermot Desmond, which prompted him to answer the call and take on the interim role.
“I go back to someone who actually gave me the job in the first place way back 25 years ago, when in all honesty, at that stage, there were a lot of big, big names, bigger names than myself, in for that job. And it was a real honour to manage the football club,” he said.
“They could have a new manager in two weeks' time. If we don't win on Wednesday evening, we might have a new manager on Thursday!”
📰 Martin O’Neill: I’m excited to be back at Celtic and I want to do as well as I can for the club
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 28, 2025
💬 "I’m really excited. There’s nervous excitement about it and I obviously want to try and do as well as I can. I’m looking forward to it."#CelticFC🍀
Ange Postecoglou, a former Celtic manager, is strongly linked to the permanent job despite his recent sackings at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest. The Australian coach has a proven track record with Celtic, having won five trophies during his tenure from 2021 to 2023.
However, other candidates are emerging, including Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna and Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen. Martin O'Neill, Celtic's interim manager, believes the club will look for a young manager with an impressive CV to take the reins permanently.
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