'Nailed on' - Celtic make next manager decision

Cameron Smith

• 15 Mar 2026 10:09 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Celtic have reportedly identified Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou as their primary candidate for the vacant permanent managerial role.

Interim head coach Martin O’Neill will step down from his duties following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season and the Celtic hierarchy have begun sounding out potential replacements ahead of the new campaign.

The Glasgow giants were stung by the disastrous appointment of Wilfried Nancy earlier this season, who lasted just 33 days in charge before being sacked, and they are therefore unsurprisingly determined to find the right man for the job this summer.

A number of candidates have reportedly been earmarked as options, including former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane, although Berthel Askou has quickly emerged as the bookies’ favourite for the role following his work at Motherwell this season.

The Fir Park outfit are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership table and they are on course to be included in the top six split of the division for the first time since 2021-22.

Berthel Askou only joined Motherwell in June, following a short spell as assistant manager at Danish club Copenhagen, but Celtic have been thoroughly impressed by his work during his debut campaign at the club and they are eager to appoint him as their new boss, as per Football Insider.

Jens Berthel Askou to Celtic?

Speaking to Football Insider, former Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness confirmed that Berthel Askou is wanted by the Celtic hierarchy this summer.

“I think it’s pretty much nailed on. I think he’s going to be the one that Celtic are going to go for,” he said.

“It makes a lot more sense than Wilfried Nancy, that’s for sure. And I think there’s some amazing stats that I saw coming out now, that I think this time of the season, for the very first time, there are two clubs that have got better goal differences than the Old Firm.

“And that’s the only thing that’s ever happened before, or at least way back to the 60s before something like that happened. Motherwell are probably playing the best football in the league themselves. Hearts are obviously playing well, but Motherwell are playing incredibly well. The manager there has got a lot of kudos for that.”

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