Celtic appoint 74-year-old Martin O'Neill as permanent manager on one-year deal after double-winning interim spell
The 74-year-old Northern Irishman, who twice steadied the club during a turbulent 2025-26 season, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year after guiding Celtic to the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.
Celtic have appointed Martin O'Neill as their permanent manager, the club confirmed on Thursday. The 74-year-old signed a one-year contract that includes an option for a further season, ending speculation that had linked former Ireland striker Robbie Keane with the role.
A turbulent season salvaged
O'Neill returned to Celtic Park twice during the 2025-26 campaign. He first took interim charge in late October following the sudden resignation of Brendan Rodgers, winning seven of eight domestic matches before stepping aside for Wilfried Nancy in December. Nancy's tenure proved disastrous — the Frenchman lost six of his eight games and lasted only 33 days — prompting O'Neill's return in early January through to the end of the season.
Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments.
The title run-in
Celtic won their final nine matches across both competitions to overhaul Heart of Midlothian, who had led the league table since September and were chasing a first title since 1960. A week after clinching the Premiership, Celtic beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final. Across O'Neill's 23 league games in charge, the team recorded 19 wins, two draws and two defeats.
- Brendan Rodgers resigns suddenly, citing a 'toxic atmosphere'
- O'Neill takes interim charge, wins 7 of 8 domestic games
- Wilfried Nancy appointed; O'Neill steps aside
- Nancy sacked after 33 days and 6 defeats in 8 matches
- O'Neill returns as interim manager until end of season
- Celtic clinch Premiership title after 9 straight wins
- Celtic beat Dunfermline to win the Scottish Cup
- O'Neill appointed permanent manager on one-year deal
A decorated history
O'Neill's first spell at Celtic, from 2000 to 2005, delivered three league titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup — including a domestic treble in 2001, the club's first in 32 years. He also guided Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville. His win rate of 75.5 percent is the highest of any Celtic manager in the club's history.
Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities and what he can bring to Celtic. We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him.
The Keane alternative and backroom questions
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond reportedly held talks with Robbie Keane, but the prospect of the former Ireland striker taking charge sparked protests from a section of supporters, partly linked to Keane's stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv during Israel's bombing of Gaza. Confirmation of O'Neill's appointment came amid reports of uncertainty over his backroom staff, with assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham reportedly offered wage cuts to remain part of the coaching team.
What comes next
O'Neill, who described the role as a "great privilege", said the club cannot rest on past success and must drive forward in the coming season. Celtic will play a pre-season friendly against Shelbourne at Tolka Park in Dublin. The appointment, described by one BBC analyst as "the safest of safe bets", gives the board a proven winner after what the same outlet called the "colossal, and borderline negligent, error" of the Nancy appointment.
