Who stand as the top candidates for the Celtic head coach position?
In the wake of Brendan Rodgers' resignation as Celtic head coach on Monday, a number of candidates have emerged as possible replacements for the former boss.
Celtic moved quickly to name former manager Martin O'Neill as interim boss—two decades after his initial stint in charge of the Scottish club concluded.
Sunday's 3-1 loss at league leaders Hearts was Celtic's back-to-back Premiership defeat, putting them eight points behind in second place, while they have secured only two victories of their previous seven matches in all competitions.
O'Neill, 73, has played down suggestions he could assume the job on a permanent basis—insisting he is merely "holding the fort."
Several potential appointees have reportedly started to emerge for the role, among them some figures with strong links to the club.
The Ipswich Town Head Coach
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has emerged as an appealing prospect to guide Celtic back on a winning track.
However, sources have indicated that Celtic could face a significant financial bill to snap up the young manager.
McKenna signed a new multi-year contract at Ipswich in the 2024 off-season, said to be worth around £5 million per year.
Furthermore, it is understood he has a significant buyout clause that Celtic may be required to meet if they decide to pursue their inquiry.
It is yet unclear whether McKenna is prepared to leave English football to forge a new phase in Scotland—though sources have indicated the manager would be receptive to a move.
Ipswich are presently in the middle of the pack in the Championship after last season's drop from the Premier League.
McKenna was one of the contenders for the Brentford manager's job in the summer following Thomas Frank's exit, but the position was taken internally by Keith Andrews.
Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou is back on the market after a brief and disappointing spell at Nottingham Forest.
The Australian, who was sacked by Tottenham at the conclusion of the previous season, lasted just 39 days at the City Ground and became the shortest-serving permanent Premier League manager.
Postecoglou did not secure a victory in any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six defeats in all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic supporters and is available.
He spent two seasons in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and led the club to a clean sweep of Scottish trophies in his second campaign.
The Former Celtic Striker
Former forward Robbie Keane also fits the bill as an additional candidate with close links to Celtic and someone who fully understands the club.
Keane scored 16 goals in 19 games for the Scottish powerhouse during a temporary stay in 2010 and was named Celtic's Player of the Year for 2009-10.
The Republic of Ireland international retired in November 2018 after a short period as playing coach at Indian Super League club ATK.
In 2023, Keane was named manager of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and led them to a league and cup double last year.
He took over at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and won the league title during his first season.
It is believed Keane would be open to the Celtic opening.
Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy took his first steps into management in 2024 with the Wales team and is also understood to have admirers at Celtic.
The 46-year-old scored eight goals in 14 matches for the Scottish side during a temporary stay in 2005.
Bellamy has managed 14 games with Wales—winning six, tying four, and losing four—and is said to be committed to the position.
Wales are third in their World Cup group for the 2026 World Cup and assured at least a play-off berth, so luring him away from the Welsh team could be challenging.
The Interim Manager
Martin O'Neill spent half a decade in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—securing seven honors, among them three Premiership titles.
The Northern Irishman's last position in the dugout was with Nottingham Forest. He succeeded Aitor Karanka in January 2019 with the club in ninth place in the Championship and was dismissed at the end of the season with Forest sitting in the same spot.
Speaking on Tuesday, O'Neill said, "I must stress, this is temporary, until a full-time manager is appointed."
O'Neill's first assignment comes on Wednesday when Celtic welcome sixth-placed Falkirk at 19:45 GMT.
