Celtic could still appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new manager for a second time, but that could depend on Martin O’Neill’s moves.
The Hoops are continuing their search for a new boss, with O’Neill appointed as interim boss for the time being in hopes of steadying the ship and getting their Scottish Premiership title shot back on track.
Many expect the Irishman to remain in charge for a short period of time, but new reports suggest he could remain in charge for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
There is no doubt that Celtic supporters are divided on who they want to see as their next permanent manager, and even how long they want to see O’Neill at the club, with a number of names being floated since Brendan Rodgers’ departure last week.
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen has enjoyed league and cup glory in Belgium in recent years and is seen as one of the favorites to win the title. He is not the only option, with Lee Kearsley, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane also included.
How could Postecoglou return to Celtic?
talk to football insiderjournalist Pete O’Rourke claimed there was still a chance that Postecoglou could make a surprise return to Celtic at the end of the season, which would be better timing for the Australian, meaning O’Neill might need to continue as manager on an interim basis until then.
“I think it’s clear that Postecoglou would be popular with the fans if the club were able to bring him back. But at the moment Postecoglou doesn’t seem to be rushing into anything. So Postecoglou himself is probably ready for a rest and may not be ready to go back to the fishbowl managing Celtic in Scotland.”
“Maybe the timing isn’t right for Postecoglou right now. If it had come at the end of the season, maybe it would have been the right opportunity and that could still happen. But I think now he’s more focused on resetting and resting after that difficult period at Forest.”
Postecoglou may not be in a rush to make a decision right now, as O’Rourke has hinted, but if he knows the Celtic job will be available next summer rather than now, it could be more attractive to him.
The 60-year-old enjoyed great success at Parkhead in his first spell as manager, winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish League Cups and a Scottish Cup.
Celtic managers’ top 5 winning percentages | match | Win % |
|---|---|---|
1. Martin O’Neill | 283 | 75.6% |
2. Ange Postecoglou | 113 | 73.5% |
3. Neil Lennon | 335 | 70.7% |
4. Jock Stein | 761 | 69.6% |
5. Brendan Rodgers | 292 | 68.8% |
True, his stock has fallen after disappointing results despite winning the Europa League with Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, but he knows Celtic well and will bring an attacking brand of football that has been well-received by fans for the first time.
However, if O’Neill were to serve as interim manager for a short period of time, other options would be best, but Postecoglou may be mentally exhausted after a tough year.
