Martin O’Neill, 74, has been named Celtic’s permanent manager for the 2026-27 season following a successful interim spell last season [1, 2, 3, 4]. He returns to the club on a one-year contract with an option to extend for another year, after guiding Celtic to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double [1, 2, 3, 4].

O’Neill took over on an interim basis in late October 2025 after the departure of Brendan Rodgers [1, 2, 4]. He managed eight matches through the autumn, winning all domestic games but losing a Europa League fixture to Midtjylland before stepping aside for Wilfried Nancy in early January 2026 [1, 2, 4]. Nancy lost six of eight matches in charge, leading to his exit and O’Neill’s return to lead the team through the season end [1, 2, 4].

Under O’Neill’s leadership across those two spells, Celtic won 27 matches and drew four from 35 games in all competitions last season [1]. They sealed the Scottish Premiership title on May 31 with a 3-1 victory over Hearts and followed that with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final win against Dunfermline Athletic on June 7 [1, 3].

O’Neill previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, winning nine major trophies including a domestic treble in 2001 and reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2003 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Major shareholder Dermot Desmond praised O’Neill as the "outstanding candidate" to lead Celtic, pledging club support for transfers this summer [3].

O’Neill said, "Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments" [1]. He also declared it "a great privilege for me to continue as Celtic manager" and stressed the focus on building for the future and club success [1].

Robbie Keane had been considered for the position but faced opposition from some supporters due to his previous managerial stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv [1, 3].

Celtic now prepare to compete in domestic and European competitions for the 2026-27 season with O’Neill at the helm on a permanent basis [3].