Who stand as the leading candidates for the Celtic head coach role?
In the wake of Brendan Rodgers' exit as Celtic head coach on Monday, multiple potential successors have come to light as possible long-term successors for the former boss.
Celtic acted swiftly to appoint 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 table-toppers Hearts was Celtic's back-to-back Premiership loss, putting them eight points behind in the runner-up spot, while they have won just two of their previous seven matches across all competitions.
O'Neill, 73, has dismissed suggestions he could take up the job on a full-time basis—stating he is merely "holding the fort."
Several potential appointees have already begun to surface for the position, including some figures with close links to Parkhead.
The Ipswich Town Head Coach
Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has arisen as an appealing prospect to guide Celtic back on a winning track.
However, insiders have suggested that Celtic could face a substantial financial cost to snap up the young manager.
McKenna agreed to a new multi-year contract at Ipswich in the 2024 off-season, said to be worth around ÂŁ5 million pounds per season.
Furthermore, it is understood he has a significant release clause that Celtic may be obliged to meet if they decide to formalise their interest.
It is yet unclear whether McKenna is willing to leave English football to forge a new chapter in Scotland—though those close to the situation have suggested the manager would be open to a move.
Ipswich are currently in the middle of the pack in the Championship following last season's relegation from the Premier League.
McKenna was one of the candidates for the Brentford manager's job in the off-season after Thomas Frank's departure, but the role was filled from within by Keith Andrews.
The Former Celtic Boss
Ange Postecoglou is available again after a brief and unsuccessful stint at Nottingham Forest.
The Australian, who was sacked by Tottenham at the conclusion of the previous season, managed only 39 days at the club and became the briefest permanent Premier League manager.
Postecoglou failed to win in any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two ties and six defeats across all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic fanbase and is available.
He spent two seasons in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and guided the club to a domestic treble in his following campaign.
The Former Celtic Striker
Former striker Robbie Keane also fits the bill as an additional candidate with close links to Celtic and someone who fully knows the club.
Keane scored 16 goals in 19 games for the Scottish giants during a loan spell in 2010 and was named Celtic's Best Performer for 2009-10.
The Republic of Ireland star retired in November 2018 following a brief stint as player-manager at Indian Super League club ATK.
In 2023, Keane was named manager of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and led them to a domestic double last year.
He assumed control at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and claimed the championship during his inaugural season.
It is believed Keane would be receptive to the Celtic opening.
The Wales National Team Manager
Craig Bellamy took his first steps into management in 2024 with the Wales team and is also understood to have admirers at Celtic.
The former striker scored eight goals in 14 matches for the Scottish side during a temporary stay in 2005.
Bellamy has managed 14 games with Wales—securing six victories, drawing four, and suffering four defeats—and is said to be dedicated to the position.
Wales are in third place in their World Cup group for the 2026 World Cup and assured at least a playoff spot, so persuading him away from the Welsh team could prove difficult.
The Interim Manager
Martin O'Neill spent five years in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—winning seven honors, among them three Premiership titles.
The Northern Irishman's last role in the dugout was with Nottingham Forest. He replaced Aitor Karanka in January 2019 with the club in ninth place in the Championship and was sacked at the end of the season with Forest remaining in the same spot.
Speaking on Tuesday, O'Neill said, "I can't emphasise this enough, this is temporary, until a full-time manager is selected."
O'Neill's first assignment comes on Wednesday when Celtic welcome sixth-placed Falkirk at 19:45 GMT.
