Next Celtic Manager Odds: New Favourite As O'Neill Takes Reins After Nancy Axe
Martin O'Neill has taken charge of Celtic until the end of the season following the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy, but who will be appointed permanent manager?
Nancy was shown the door after a miserable 3-1 defeat by Rangers at Parkhead, his sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions, leading to the return of O'Neill for the second time this season.
The Northern Irishman is the second favourite to lead the Scottish champions in the 2026/27 season, but Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is the frontrunner on betting sites.
O'Neill, who won seven trophies during a five-year spell as Celtic boss between 2000-05, took the reins in October following the exit of Brendan Rodgers, winning seven of his eight games.
He left the club when Nancy was appointed, but is back at the helm hoping to win a fourth Scottish Premiership title as Bhoys boss.
Here, we examine the main contenders and reveal the latest next Celtic manager odds.
📰 Martin O'Neill: I'm very pleased and privileged to be back at the football club
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 5, 2026
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Scottish Connection For Martinez
Martinez's focus is on leading Portugal at the World Cup, but his contract ends in the summer and he will be looking at his options if the five weeks in North America prove to be unsuccessful.
The Spaniard famously won the FA Cup as Wigan manager in 2011 and more recently oversaw Portugal's second Nations League success with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain last year.
He was also in charge of Belgium when they reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, 10 years after steering Swansea to the Championship, so he has a reasonably successful CV.
Martinez's wife is Scottish, so the stars seem to be aligning for him to take charge of Celtic next season, which can be backed at 11/10 with Ladbrokes.
O'Neill To The Rescue Again?
Should O'Neill turn Celtic's fortunes around by winning the Premiership title in May it is not beyond the realms of possibility he could land the gig on a permanent basis.
The former Leicester and Aston Villa boss won the domestic Treble with Celtic in his debut season and guided them to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, so the club seem to be in safe hands.
However, he turns 74 in March and the board may decide to appoint a younger man capable of dealing with the daily stress of managing one of Scotland's biggest clubs.
As things stand, O'Neill can be backed at 13/8 to become the long-term manager of Celtic.
Maloney In The Frame
Shaun Maloney acted as O'Neill's assistant when Rodgers walked away from the club for a second time and is now 7/1 third favourite to get the Celtic job.
The 42-year-old won five titles as a player in the first of two spells with Celtic in the 2000s and remarkably went on to win the FA Cup with Wigan, the club he managed 10 years later after a short spell with Hibs.
Maloney is a popular figure with Celtic fans, but the board would have to get their next appointment right - and a lack of experience at this level may count against the former Scotland midfielder.
Next Celtic Manager Odds:
Manager | Odds | Betting Site |
|---|---|---|
Roberto Martinez | 11/10 | |
Martin O'Neill | 13/8 | |
Shaun Maloney | 7/1 | |
Ange Postecoglou | 9/1 | |
Robbie Keane | 12/1 | |
Jens Berthel Askou | 14/1 | |
Kieran McKenna | 16/1 | |
Craig Bellamy | 16/1 |
Postecoglou Back In The Mix
Ange Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen at the time of our last update, but is now priced at 9/1 to bring the good times back to Paradise once again.
The Australian won five of the six domestic trophies during his two-year reign at Celtic Park, including the Treble in the 2022/23 season, and would surely be welcomed back with open arms by the Hoops faithful.
Postecoglou led Tottenham to fifth place in his debut season and although they finished one spot above the relegation zone in the following campaign, they also won the Europa League which ensured a Champions League spot.
Things did not work out at Nottingham Forest, but he must surely be in the thoughts of the club's board.
Keane A Double Title Winner
Robbie Keane's stock continues to rise as a manager and he endeared himself further to Celtic fans across the globe by overseeing a 2-1 win for Ferencvaros against Rangers in the Europa League which maintained their unbeaten start after six games.
The former Republic of Ireland international has won titles in Israel and Hungary with Maccabi Tel Aviv and his current club, who are involved in a close title race in the Nemzeti Bajnoksag I.
Keane played for six Premier League clubs, including two spells with Tottenham, who loaned out the Irishman to Celtic for a stint in 2010, during which he scored 12 goals in 16 appearances.
The ex-Liverpool striker would find it hard to resist the team he supports and is regarded as a 12/1 chance on betting apps to be installed as Celtic's next manager.
Could Celtic Go To The Well?
Jens Berthel Askou is enjoying a brilliant debut season as Motherwell manager and is a 14/1 outsider for the Hoops job.
The Dane, who had a couple of seasons as a player with Norwich between 2009-11, has led Well to fourth place in the Premiership on the back of a tight defence which has not conceded at home in seven successive matches.
Kieran McKenna's reputation rocketed when he led Ipswich to the Premier League with back-to-back promotions and is 16/1 to become Celtic's next manager.
Although the Tractor Boys were immediately relegated, they are well positioned for a return to the top flight thanks to five wins in their last seven Championship games.
That form has propelled Ipswich up to third in the table, just two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
McKenna knows what it takes to be part of a major club, having been Jose Mourinho's assistant manager at Manchester United in the 2018/19 season.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy scored seven goals in 12 appearances for Celtic on loan from Newcastle in 2005 and is also 16/1 to land the Celtic job.
Celtic fans! Who would you want as the next permanent manager? Comment below or vote in our poll above!
