Celtic Football Club is navigating significant turmoil following the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers, with mounting speculation surrounding his successor. The club’s current situation has seen Kieran McKenna, manager of Ipswich Town, emerge as a frontrunner in betting markets, overshadowing former Celtic manager Angé Postecoglou. Reports indicate that sources close to Postecoglou have downplayed any potential return to Parkhead, further complicating the club’s managerial search.
On February 7, 2024, Rodgers parted ways with Celtic after a disappointing run, including a recent 3-1 loss to Hearts, which left the team eight points behind their Edinburgh rivals. Following this defeat, principal shareholder Dermot Desmond issued a stern statement criticizing Rodgers, labeling his recent conduct as “divisive, misleading, and self-serving.” Rodgers has not yet publicly responded to Desmond’s remarks.
Maloney Takes Temporary Charge
In the wake of this upheaval, Shaun Maloney has stepped in as caretaker manager alongside Martin O’Neill. Maloney, who previously served as player pathways manager, emphasized that he is not pursuing a long-term position, stating, “I’m going to try my best to support Martin and the players but I’m very similar to Martin, to be interim and then I’ll go back to my role.” As preparations begin for the upcoming match against Falkirk, Maloney described the atmosphere at the club as “traumatic” following the recent events.
O’Neill, at 73 years old, has also made it clear that his involvement is temporary. He humorously noted that if the team does not secure a victory against Falkirk, there might be a new managerial appointment soon thereafter.
Fan Reactions and Future Prospects
As the situation unfolds, Celtic supporters are expressing their discontent, planning protests against Desmond and the board before the Falkirk match. Many fans are vocal about their desire for Postecoglou’s return, with social media comments reflecting sentiments such as, “Should be Ange back to get them going forward instead of sideways, backwards, etc.”
Despite the calls for his return, it remains uncertain whether Postecoglou would be interested in resuming management at this time. After leaving Celtic for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, he experienced success in the Europa League but was dismissed at the end of the season. His brief tenure at Nottingham Forest also ended after eight winless games, further complicating his immediate career plans.
As Celtic prepares for its next challenge, the club remains in a state of flux, grappling with both on-field and off-field issues. The decisions made in the coming days will be crucial for the future trajectory of this storied football club.
