Celtic confirmed Brendan Rodgers’ resignation as manager only a day after The Boys were beaten 3-1 at Tynecastle, leaving them eight points adrift of William Hill pace-setters, Hearts.
Rodgers’ contract was due to expire in the summer of 2026, but the parting has been bitter and Dermot Desmond, the Parkhead club’s major shareholder, accused Rodgers of “divisive, misleading and self-serving” behaviour.
Former manager, Martin O’Neill, and ex-player, Shaun Maloney, who was sacked as Wigan manager earlier this year, but was formerly part of Belgium’s coaching staff, will take temporary charge. O’Neill, a regular on TalkSport, had only hours earlier spoken of his belief that Hearts could win the title.
O’Neill is now 73 and managed Celtic for five years, winning three Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and the League Cup. He also guided the club to the UEFA Cup Final. The former Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder has also been manager of the Republic of Ireland.
Maloney was manager of Hibs, but the 42-year-old was sacked only months into the job.
Rodgers (pictured) began his second spell in charge in 2023, and he won back-to-back league titles, but Desmond said in his letter: “What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.”
Celtic are next in action on Wednesday when they host Falkirk in the William Hill Premiership (19.45) and they square-up to arch rivals, Rangers, on Sunday in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup (14.00).
