Martin O'Neill appointed permanent Celtic manager after domestic double
Martin O'Neill, 74, has agreed to a one-year contract to remain as Celtic’s permanent manager after leading the club to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double during two interim spells. The decision follows talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and comes after Robbie Keane faced fan backlash over his Maccabi Tel Aviv links. O'Neill first returned after Brendan Rodgers resigned in October 2025, then again after Wilfried Nancy’s brief tenure.
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Martin O'Neill confirmed as Celtic manager after winning domestic double
Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as the permanent manager of Celtic FC, signing a one-year contract with a one-year option. The 74-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000-2005, took over in two interim spells last season and led the club to a dramatic Scottish Premiership title win on the final day, followed by a Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline. O'Neill expressed his hunger for more success, stating the double whetted his appetite for 'more days like those.' The appointment came after Robbie Keane held talks with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond but faced a furious backlash from fans due to his managerial stint in Israel. Desmond confirmed O'Neill would be supported in the transfer market to achieve domestic success and compete in Europe.
Football | The GuardianMartin O'Neill confirmed as Celtic manager on one-year deal after domestic double
Martin O'Neill has been officially confirmed as Celtic manager on a one-year contract with a one-year option, following two interim spells this season. The 74-year-old led Celtic to a dramatic Scottish Premiership title on the final day and a Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline, securing a domestic double. O'Neill expressed his hunger for more success, stating the recent triumphs whetted his appetite. The appointment comes after talks with Robbie Keane were met with fan backlash due to Keane's previous managerial role in Israel. Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond praised O'Neill as a winner and pledged full support in the transfer market to achieve domestic and European objectives.
Football | The GuardianMartin O'Neill appointed Celtic manager after title-winning interim spell
Celtic FC has permanently appointed Martin O'Neill as manager following two successful interim spells during the turbulent 2025-26 season. The 74-year-old Northern Irishman first took over after Brendan Rodgers' resignation in October, winning seven of eight matches, then returned after Wilfried Nancy's disastrous 33-day tenure. O'Neill led Celtic to a dramatic domestic double, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup by winning their final nine matches to overtake Heart of Midlothian. The club confirmed a one-year contract with a one-year option. O'Neill, who previously managed Celtic from 2000-2005, has the highest win rate (75.5%) of any manager in club history. He described the opportunity as a 'great privilege' and credited the players and fans for the success.
Soccer - The AthleticMartin O'Neill appointed Celtic manager on permanent basis after title-winning interim spell
Martin O'Neill, aged 74, has been appointed permanent manager of Celtic FC on a one-year contract with a one-year option, following a successful interim spell in the 2025-26 season. O'Neill served two interim stints after the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, the second culminating in Celtic winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup. Celtic won their final nine matches across both competitions to overtake Heart of Midlothian, who had led the league since September. O'Neill, previously Celtic manager from 2000 to 2005, has the highest win rate (75.5%) of any Celtic manager in history. He described the opportunity as a 'great privilege' and said the players and staff 'gave me a reason to live.'
Soccer - The AthleticMartin O'Neill Confirmed as Celtic's Permanent Manager
Martin O'Neill, aged 74, has been appointed as the permanent manager of Celtic FC after serving two interim spells last season that culminated in a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double. He has signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, following negotiations with major shareholder Dermot Desmond. O'Neill first returned to Celtic in late October 2023, 20 years after his previous successful five-year tenure, replacing Brendan Rodgers. He won all domestic matches during his first interim period but was replaced by Wilfried Nancy. Nancy left after six defeats in eight games, prompting O'Neill's return in early January until the end of the season, which led to the double triumph.
BBC SportMartin O'Neill, 74, Named Permanent Celtic Manager After Domestic Double
Martin O'Neill has been appointed permanent manager of Celtic at age 74, signing a one-year contract with an option to extend. The decision follows his successful interim tenure where he led the club to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double after returning twice last season. O'Neill initially replaced Brendan Rodgers after his shock resignation in October 2025, then took over from Wilfried Nancy. The appointment comes after talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond, who also held discussions with former player Robbie Keane. Keane's potential candidacy drew criticism from fan groups due to his previous role with Maccabi Tel Aviv amid the Gaza conflict, with protests including graffiti and banners outside Celtic Park. O'Neill, who previously managed Celtic from 2000-2005, will now lead the team in defending their Scottish Premiership title.
SkySports | NewsMartin O'Neill to Remain as Celtic Manager After Double Win
Martin O'Neill will continue as Celtic manager after leading the team to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double. The league title was decided on the final day with a 3-1 win over Hearts, followed by a 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final two weeks later. O'Neill, who has now won nine trophies as Celtic manager, oversaw 35 games in all competitions last season, winning 27 and drawing four, with a league points-per-game average of 2.56 matching his previous stint from 2000-05. Former Celtic player Robbie Keane had been linked with the job but faced opposition from several Celtic supporters clubs due to his previous role as Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach. Danish coach Jens Berthel Askou was also mentioned before leaving Motherwell for Toulouse.
BBC SportMartin O'Neill to Remain as Celtic Manager After Double Win
Martin O'Neill will continue as Celtic manager after leading the team to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double. The league title was decided on the final day, with Celtic defeating long-time leaders Hearts 3-1 to retain the crown. Two weeks later, O'Neill secured his ninth trophy as Celtic manager with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic. Across his two spells last season, O'Neill oversaw 35 games in all competitions, winning 27 and drawing four, with an average of 2.56 points per game in the league. Former Celtic player Robbie Keane had been linked with the managerial position before and after his recent exit from Ferencvaros, but several Celtic supporters clubs opposed his potential appointment due to his previous role as Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach. Danish coach Jens Berthel Askou was also mentioned as a candidate before leaving Motherwell for Toulouse.
BBC SportMartin O'Neill to Continue as Celtic Manager After Double Win
Martin O'Neill will remain as Celtic manager after leading the team to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double during two interim spells last season. The 74-year-old first returned to Celtic in late October 2023 following Brendan Rodgers' departure, overseeing eight games before making way for Wilfried Nancy. Nancy left after a poor run of six defeats in eight matches, and O'Neill returned in early January as manager for the rest of the season. Celtic clinched the league title on the final day with a 3-1 win over Hearts, and later defeated Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final, marking O'Neill's ninth trophy as Celtic manager. After talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond, O'Neill has agreed to stay on, though the club has not yet officially confirmed the appointment.
BBC SportCeltic to confirm appointment of Martin O’Neill after Robbie Keane backlash
Celtic are expected to confirm Martin O'Neill as their permanent manager after the 74-year-old agreed a one-year contract, following a successful second interim spell that saw him lead the club to a domestic double. The decision comes after Robbie Keane, who had been a leading candidate and held talks with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, faced a furious backlash from some Celtic supporters due to his managerial stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Keane had left his role at Ferencvaros at the end of May. O'Neill, who first managed Celtic 26 years ago, initially stepped in after Brendan Rodgers resigned in October 2025, and later returned after Wilfried Nancy's brief eight-game tenure. His new deal reportedly includes an option for a second year.
Football | The GuardianCeltic to Confirm Martin O'Neill as Permanent Manager After Robbie Keane Backlash
Celtic are set to appoint Martin O'Neill as their permanent manager on a one-year deal, following a successful interim spell where he led the club to a domestic double. The 74-year-old Northern Irishman, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, stepped in after Brendan Rodgers resigned in October 2025 and again after Wilfried Nancy's brief tenure. The decision comes after Robbie Keane, who held talks with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, faced a furious backlash from fans due to his managerial stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. O'Neill's contract includes an option for a second year, marking a remarkable return 26 years after his initial appointment.
Football | The GuardianCeltic to Confirm Martin O'Neill as Permanent Manager After Robbie Keane Backlash
Celtic are expected to appoint Martin O'Neill as their permanent manager on a one-year contract, following his successful interim spell that delivered a domestic double. The 74-year-old Northern Irishman, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, stepped in twice this season after Brendan Rodgers resigned in October 2025 and Wilfried Nancy's brief tenure. The decision comes after Robbie Keane, who had held talks with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, faced a furious backlash from Celtic supporters due to his managerial stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Keane later managed Ferencvaros in Hungary before resigning in May 2026. O'Neill's deal is expected to include an option for a second year.
Football | The GuardianMartin O'Neill agrees permanent Celtic manager deal after talks with Dermot Desmond
Martin O'Neill, aged 74, has agreed to become Celtic's permanent manager on an initial one-year contract following talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond. O'Neill had previously returned to the club on an interim basis, replacing Brendan Rodgers and later Wilfried Nancy, and guided Celtic to a domestic double including the Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the season and the Scottish Cup. The club also held discussions with former player Robbie Keane for the role, which drew criticism from some fan groups due to Keane's links with Maccabi Tel Aviv. O'Neill had earlier suggested the club might seek a younger manager but has now committed to staying on permanently.
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