Martin O'Neill to stay as Celtic manager? Decision imminent

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Celtic are ramping up their search for a new manager, but interim boss Martin O'Neill staying on board can't be discounted at this stage.

The Hoops ended the 2025/26 season with a domestic double, but they didn't get many things right last term. The appointment of Wilfried Nancy following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers will go down in infamy as one of the worst in recent history across all of Europe.

The Frenchman only lasted 33 days before receiving his marching orders in January. He oversaw just eight games, winning two and losing the other six. O'Neill, who had held down the fort for a few weeks after Rodgers quit, was brought back in to steady the ship for a second time.

Ultimately, the Northern Irishman remained in the job until the end of the season. His spell was certainly successful, with Celtic pipping Hearts to the Premiership title before beating Dunfermline in the final of the Scottish Cup.

The 74-year-old was expected to now return to his well-earned retirement, but this plan could yet change. According to Sky Sports, Celtic's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will approach O'Neill imminently to gauge his interest in remaining with the club.

Next Celtic manager: Keane, O'Neill or Bellamy?

Desmond wants to see if O'Neill still has the "appetite" to keep working at Celtic in some capacity. That could be as head coach, if the veteran manager so desires, or in a different role. The club would be open to handing him a permanent, short-term contract to keep leading the team.

If O'Neill is no longer up for the daily grind of coaching a team, he could also be offered an advisory role or a more hands-on position in the club's sporting operations. This, however, will ultimately depend on the 74-year-old's desire.

In the meantime, fresh discussions are planned with former Hoops striker Robbie Keane, who quit his role as Ferencvaros head coach last month. There have already been "constructive talks" with the Irishman, but he is also being chased by other clubs, particularly Slovan Bratislava.

Celtic are also keen to test the waters for another former player, namely Craig Bellamy. The current Wales head coach has insisted that he wants to stay in his current role, but the Parkhead club want to hold talks with him regardless.

Bellamy's contract with the Welsh FA runs until the end of Euro 2028, which the Dragons will co-host, and he seems to be eager to see out his deal. "Everything's in place, I get completely backed and it's going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again," Bellamy said on Monday.

"Links? I understand it, but I don't look too far. I love what I have here. I've been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already. Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven't managed before.

"Wales have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful for that. I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money, but there's a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn't feel that time."