Next Celtic manager odds: Who are the favourites to replace Brendan Rodgers?

Cameron Smith

• 28 Oct 2025 14:41 GMT
• 5 min read

News

Celtic are officially on the hunt for a new manager following Brendan Rodgers’ surprise decision to step down from his role as first-team head coach on Monday evening.

The former Liverpool and Leicester City boss returned to Celtic Park in 2023, following the departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur, and he guided the Scottish giants to four trophies in two seasons during his second spell at the club.

However, a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign led to speculation over his future at the club and Rodgers handed in his resignation on 27 October, with Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney appointed as interim managers.

But, who will Celtic appoint as Rodgers’ permanent replacement?

Celtic next manager odds

The aforementioned Postecoglou is currently the clear favourite to be re-appointed by the Celtic hierarchy following his sacking by Nottingham Forest. The Australian lasted just 39 days in charge at the City Ground, however he is seen as the most credible candidate to replace Rodgers following his impressive first stint at Celtic.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is the second-favourite for the club, after an eye-catching spell at Portman Road, while St Mirren head coach Steve Robinson is third.

Interim managers Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill are both 10/1 to be appointed permanently, with Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane, Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ruud van Nistelrooy currently outsiders.

Expert Verdict - Why did Brendan Rodgers leave Celtic?

Celtic expert Martin Macdonald tells FootballTransfers: “Tensions have been high all season between the manager and the board and especially the fans and the board following what was one of the worst transfer windows the club has ever had.

“Over the last two years, key players like Matt O'Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn have been allowed to go on their merry way with no adequate replacements identified.

“An example of the malaise can be found in Celtic's striking options. Unproven, but certainly not young 25-year-old Shin Yamada, signed for just over £1 million, 22-year-old Johnny Kenny (£200k), prolific in Ireland but not in Scotland, and 29-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho (free), signed in the dying seconds on Deadline Day after starting striker Adam Idah was sold to Swansea.

“That was after the former Man City and Leicester striker had been unceremoniously released by Sevilla.

STATS

Kelechi Iheanacho

F (C)

Celtic

Kelechi Iheanacho

F (C)

Celtic

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 8

  Games

• 3

  Goals

• 1

  Assists

View all stats

“What has followed has been worse than many predicted, though, as following a 3-1 defeat by Hearts on Sunday, Celtic are now eight points off the pace in the Scottish Premiership which is unheard of in recent seasons. They are usually the team setting such a healthy lead early on.

“Rodgers became braver when talking to the media this season, demanding new players and lamenting how the club conducts transfer negotiations.

“After Celtic were defeated away at Dundee, Rodgers infamously said: “There’s no way you’ll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say, ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari’.”

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