Who is the new manager of Celtic?
Celtic have appointed Martin O’Neill as their permanent manager on a one-year contract, bringing back the 74-year-old Northern Irishman after his brief but successful interim spell. O’Neill previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, winning three consecutive league titles and establishing himself as one of the club’s most celebrated managers. ESPN confirms the club moved quickly to secure his permanent return following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy, with O’Neill describing himself as “really pleased, in fact, very honoured to be asked back to manage the team again.” He also said he was “looking forward to getting back to work again with the players,” according to coverage of his appointment.
Martin O’Neill’s managerial career
- Former Republic of Ireland national team manager (2013–2018)
- Managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, winning three straight league titles and two Scottish Cups
- Took over as Celtic’s interim manager in 2025 after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, winning seven of eight matches
- Known for attacking football and strong man-management throughout his career
Reaction from the club and fans
Celtic’s statement announcing O’Neill’s permanent appointment thanked him for his willingness to return and emphasised his experience. Fan reaction across social media platforms was largely positive, with supporters citing his proven track record and immediate impact during the interim period. The contrast with Nancy’s results—six defeats in eight matches against O’Neill’s seven wins—sharpened the narrative that the club had made the right call.
Why was Wilfried Nancy sacked?
Wilfried Nancy was sacked after only eight competitive matches in charge of Celtic, with a record of six defeats that Fox Sports characterises as “the worst win percentage in Bhoys history.” The French-Canadian coach was hired in December 2025 from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, but his tenure unravelled quickly. A 3–1 Old Firm defeat to Rangers at Celtic Park proved the final straw for the club’s board, who terminated his contract with immediate effect. Celtic thanked Nancy and his staff for their efforts and wished them well in the official statement, but no further reasoning was provided beyond the poor results.
Nancy’s short tenure
Nancy arrived at Celtic Park with a reputation built during his time with Columbus Crew, where he led the MLS side to significant success. Fox Sports notes he left the American club to take the Celtic job, marking a major career step to European football. The Celtic Bhoys fan site reported early pressure on the new appointment, noting he lost his first two games as Celtic manager, framing the upcoming Scottish League Cup final as potentially a “make-or-break” contest for his job security.
Performance and results
The statistics tell a stark story. Nancy managed eight competitive matches and lost six of them—a 75% defeat rate that proved untenable at a club with Celtic’s ambitions. Sources describe the decision to move “quickly” to replace him, reflecting the club’s urgency to stabilise results before the season slipped away. Nancy’s assistants Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier also left Celtic at the same time as his sacking.
Where is Brendan Rodgers going after Celtic?
Brendan Rodgers left Celtic in June 2023 to take over at Leicester City, ending a rollercoaster second spell at the Glasgow club. He had previously managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019, winning back-to-back league titles before departing for Leicester in April 2019—only to return briefly in 2023 before leaving again for the same club. His permanent departure opened the managerial vacancy that eventually led to the O’Neill-Nancy succession. Rodgers was not linked with a return to Celtic when O’Neill was appointed, with his focus remaining on Leicester City’s Premier League campaign.
Rodgers’ departure from Celtic
Rodgers’ second stint lasted just months in 2023 before he accepted Leicester City’s approach, departing with Celtic sitting top of the Scottish Premiership. The timing drew criticism from some quarters, but Rodgers maintained his desire to return to England. His exits—twice in five years—underscored the revolving door at Celtic’s managerial office during this period.
Current role at Leicester City
At Leicester City, Rodgers continues to manage in the English Championship following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. His Celtic connections remain strong in Scottish football circles, though he has shown no indication of a third spell at Parkhead.
Who are Celtic’s most notable managers?
Celtic’s managerial history spans over a century, with several figures standing out for their achievements and influence on the club. From the early days of Willie Maley—Celtic’s longest-serving manager with a 43-year spell from 1897 to 1940—to the modern era, the club has been shaped by distinctive personalities.
Jock Stein – the greatest
Jock Stein remains Celtic’s most celebrated manager, winning nine consecutive league titles between 1965 and 1974 and leading the club to their historic 1967 European Cup victory—the first British team to win the competition. His achievements transcended Scottish football, with his defensive innovations influencing managers across Europe. Stein was a Protestant, a fact of particular note given Celtic’s Catholic heritage rooted in Irish immigration to Scotland. His background became a reference point in discussions about sectarianism in Scottish football, with the club historically associated with the Catholic community while having Protestant figures at the helm.
Other significant managers: Billy McNeill, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers
- Billy McNeill: First Celtic captain to lift the European Cup (1967) and later managed the club, becoming a bridge between the Stein era and modern times
- Martin O’Neill: Three consecutive league titles (2000–2003), two Scottish Cups, and memorable European runs including a Champions League victory over Barcelona
- Brendan Rodgers: Multiple league titles and cups, though his two departures in five years created instability
Has Celtic ever had a Protestant manager?
Yes. Jock Stein was a Protestant, as were several other Celtic managers over the years. The club has had managers from various backgrounds, reflecting the broader evolution of Scottish society. Celtic’s founding identity was tied to the Catholic Irish-Scottish community, but the club has operated without religious restrictions on its managerial appointments for decades. Stein’s Protestant faith and remarkable success became a landmark in challenging sectarian assumptions about Scottish football.
Who is Gavin Strachan and what is his role?
Gavin Strachan is Celtic’s current assistant manager under Martin O’Neill, continuing in the role he held during O’Neill’s interim spell. The former player and coach has been part of Celtic’s backroom staff since 2021, working under multiple managerial regimes.
Gavin Strachan’s coaching career
Strachan, son of former Celtic assistant manager and Scotland internationalist Steven Strachan, built his coaching reputation through roles at Bury, Motherwell, and Norwich City before joining Celtic. His experience in developing players and tactical awareness made him a natural fit for O’Neill’s setup.
His position under O’Neill
With O’Neill’s permanent appointment, Strachan remains as assistant manager—a continuity signal from the club despite the upheaval. His understanding of the squad and O’Neill’s methods should provide stability during the transition period.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Current manager | Martin O’Neill |
| Previous manager | Wilfried Nancy |
| Manager sacked date | 2025 (exact date not specified) |
| New manager contract | 1 year |
| All-time longest-serving manager | Willie Maley (1897–1940) |
| Most successful manager (titles) | Jock Stein (9 league titles + European Cup) |
Timeline
Celtic’s 2025–26 season saw remarkable managerial upheaval in a compressed timeframe. Three different managers took charge within a single campaign, disrupting squad development and fan expectations.
Frequently asked questions
For Celtic, the message is clear: O’Neill represents their best chance at stabilising a fractured season. For Nancy, the brief Scottish adventure ends as a cautionary tale about the unforgiving pace of top-level management. The pressure on O’Neill now is immense—another failed spell would tarnish an otherwise storied legacy.
Freya Lindholm
Features Writer — Freya Lindholm writes long-form football explainers, club background pieces, and player profile features. Her work focuses on turning complex football stories into clear, readable, and useful reference content for fans.