Martin O'Neill named permanent Celtic manager for 2026-27 season

Martin O'Neill has been appointed Celtic's permanent manager after leading the club to domestic double last season.

Permanent appointment confirmed Martin O'Neill has officially been named Celtic's permanent manager following two brief interim periods in charge during the previous campaign, which culminated in securing both the Premiership title and Scottish Cup. The 74-year-old has finalized a one-year agreement to remain at Parkhead with an additional optional year, following discussions with major shareholder Dermot Desmond. O'Neill initially returned to Celtic in late October on a short-term basis after Brendan Rodgers' departure, marking his second stint with the club two decades after his successful five-year tenure. ## Interim spells and return During his first interim spell, O'Neill guided Celtic to victory in all domestic matches across eight games, with the sole setback coming against Midtjylland in the Europa League. He stepped aside to make way for Wilfried Nancy, but the Frenchman's tenure lasted only six matches, resulting in eight losses, prompting O'Neill's reinstatement in early January until season's end. His second interim period saw him oversee 35 total games, accumulating 27 wins and four draws across competitions. ## Triumph in domestic finals O'Neill's impact was decisive as Celtic clinched the Premiership title by defeating Hearts 3-1 on the season's final day. Seven days later at Hampden Park, he secured his ninth managerial trophy for Celtic with a 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final. His leadership contributed to a remarkable average of 2.56 points per league game during both spells, matching his previous return from 2000 to 2005. ## Other managerial candidates considered Former Celtic player Robbie Keane was considered for the role both before and after his departure from Ferencvaros, but several supporters' clubs voiced opposition following his tenure at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Jens Berthel Askou had also been linked with the position prior to his move from Motherwell to Toulouse. Ultimately, O'Neill's appointment was confirmed to lead Celtic into the 2026-27 season.