Glasgow | Rodgers resigns as Celtic manager with Martin O'Neill to return

Big news coming out of Celtic Park...

Brendan Rodgers has stepped down as Celtic manager, with Martin O'Neill set to make a temporary return to the club as his successor.

Author | Sean M

Rodgers, 52, had begun a second spell at Celtic Park in 2023, securing back-to-back league titles in addition to his triumphs in 2017 and 2018.

The former Liverpool and Leicester City manager leaves with Celtic eight points behind Hearts after nine games of the current season.

The temporary management team

O'Neill previously managed Celtic from 2000-05. He won three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup. Famously in 2003, his side reached the final of the UEFA Cup in Seville where they were were narrowly beaten by Jose Mourinho's Porto. 

The former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland boss will be joined by Shaun Maloney, who had two spells as a player with Celtic and has management experience with Hibernian and Wigan.

Celtic have released a statement

Via the Celtic website, the statement says: "Celtic Football Club can confirm that football manager Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation. It has been accepted by the Club and Brendan will leave his role with immediate effect.

"The Club appreciates Brendan’s contribution to Celtic during his two very successful periods at the Club. Brendan leaves Celtic with our thanks for the role he has played during a period of continued success for the Club and we wish him further success in the future.

"The process to appoint a new permanent manager is underway and the Club will update supporters further on this as soon as possible.

"We are pleased that during this interim period former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill and former Celtic player, Shaun Maloney have agreed to take charge of Celtic first-team matters. Further details will be confirmed shortly."

"This has been coming..." The view of one Celtic fan

Celtic fans protest against their board earlier in the season

It is striking, but there appears to have been a growing sense of unease after Brendan Rodgers spoke out before the season, expressing frustration at not securing the players he wanted and the quality he had hoped for. This announcement has been coming since the tension started simmering, with the manager making subtle remarks in press conferences that seemed directed at the board.

Rodgers’ dissatisfaction stemmed from not being provided with the squad he envisioned. Reflecting on last season and Celtic’s relative success in the Champions League, he had hoped for further progress at the club, which has not materialised. The team have made a slow start this season, exiting the Champions League and showing less domestic dominance than expected.