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- 16 hours ago
Celtic add Jose Mourinho to next manager shortlist
Cameron Smith
- 10 Feb 2026 12:04 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Celtic are reportedly considering appointing Jose Mourinho as their next permanent manager amid rumours he could leave Benfica this summer.
The 63-year-old returned to the Estadio da Luz in September and he guided them to the Champions League play-offs in historic fashion last month following a stoppage-time goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid.
However, his side are seven points behind league leaders FC Porto in the Portuguese top flight and speculation has suggested that his contract could be mutually terminated following the end of the 2025-26 season.
Mourinho has been heavily linked with replacing Roberto Martinez as the next Portugal manager, but he has also now emerged as a potential candidate for Celtic.
That is according to a shock report from SportsBoom, who claim that Mourinho has been earmarked as a possible alternative to top target Ange Postecoglou, who has been out of work since being sacked by Nottingham Forest in October.
Jose Mourinho to Celtic?
Martin O’Neill is currently in interim charge until the end of the campaign, after returning to Celtic Park following Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous 33-day spell at the helm, but he has already confirmed that he won’t take the job on a permanent basis this summer.
Speaking to talkSPORT after confirmation of his return as caretaker manager, O’Neill was asked whether he would consider continuing beyond this summer. “I would not,” he replied.
“I can't see that for a start and I genuinely can't. I don't know whether I would have the energy and all that type of stuff.
“I'll just put everything into it now for these next couple of months and the same applies to me. If I don't win football matches I'll be straight under pressure and that starts here at the weekend.”
With O’Neill set to depart, Mourinho has reportedly been sounded out as a potential lucrative replacement, although he remains more likely to become the next Portugal boss as things stand.
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