Martin O'Neill has signed a one-year contract to continue as Celtic manager, with an option for a further year, following a successful 2025-26 season [1, 2].
The 74-year-old returned to the club in late October 2025 after Brendan Rodgers resigned, overseeing 8 league games [1, 2]. He was replaced by Wilfried Nancy for eight matches, but Nancy left after a poor run of 2 wins and 6 defeats [1, 2]. O'Neill then resumed the role in early January and managed the team through the rest of the season [1, 2].
Across his two spells this season, O'Neill managed 35 games, achieving 27 wins and 4 draws, maintaining a 2.56 points-per-game average matching his 2000-05 tenure at Celtic [1].
Under O’Neill’s leadership, Celtic clinched the Premiership title on the final day with a 3-1 victory over Hearts [1, 2]. They also won the Scottish Cup two weeks before the report date, defeating Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 at Hampden Park [1, 2].
Following the league win, Celtic will enter the next Champions League at the play-off round [1].
Robbie Keane, who left Ferencvaros at the end of May, was considered for the Celtic managerial role but faced backlash from supporters due to his previous managerial spell in Israel [1, 2]. The Guardian noted, "But the potential appointment of Keane was met with a furious backlash by an element of the Celtic support, who objected to his managerial spell in Israel" [2].
O’Neill’s reappointment comes 26 years after Dermot Desmond first brought him to Celtic from Leicester City [2].
Celtic’s new contract formally secures O'Neill’s position for the 2026-27 season, with the option to extend for another year [1, 2].
