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Celtic's next permanent manager odds and prediction

Celtic are once again facing a tough period. After a public confrontation with the club's majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, Brendan Rodgers resigned from his position. Surprisingly, Martin O'Neill has stepped in as interim boss, twenty years after his last game in charge. After leading the club to two crucial wins, many believe the 73-year-old will stay at the helm.

The Hoops need a long-term plan and a leader capable of restoring the club's identity. At MightyTips, our analysts have looked at the names in the frame and the latest betting odds on Celtic new manager, predicting who's more likely to get the job.

Pic about next Celtic permanent manager prediction

Odds on the next Celtic manager

The bookies have already released their odds for the permanent Celtic manager role, with several familiar names near the top. O'Neill is the favourite at 3.50. Kieran McKenna is the next key contender at 6.00, while Wilfried Nancy and Kjetil Knutsen are not far behind at 7.00. Surprisingly, Ange Postecoglou made it to the top 5 contenders at 7.50, suggesting a possible shock return.

Manager Odds
Martin O'Neill 3.50
Kieran McKenna 6.00
Wilfried Nancy 7.00
Kjetil Knutsen 7.00
Ange Postecoglou 7.50
Lee Carsley 9.00
Robbie Keane 9.00
Craig Bellamy 13.00
Nicky Hayen 17.00
Shaun Maloney 17.00

Martin O'Neill

O'Neill has provided a reliable hand during a hard time. Since stepping in as interim manager, he has helped the team win two games in a row, reminding the fans of what this club can achieve under the right leadership. His achievements for the period of just one week have already lifted the mood around Parkhead.

Between 2000 and 2005, O'Neill guided Celtic to three league titles, three Scottish Cups, and a UEFA Cup final appearance, earning one of the highest win rates in club history. While Martin made it clear at first that his role is only temporary, he's now open to extending his contract with the club on a permanent basis.

Kieran McKenna

Kieran McKenna has quickly emerged as the second leading candidate to become Celtic's permanent manager. The 39-year-old Ipswich Town boss earned respect for guiding the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. This remarkable feat showcased his tactical intelligence and modern approach.

Ipswich were relegated last season, but McKenna's reputation hasn't taken much of a hit. Several reports suggest he'd be open to moving to Scotland if the price is right. The main obstacle is his current contract, which runs until 2028 with the release clause of £5 million. Nevertheless, his tactical know-how and Premier League experience from his time at Man United make McKenna a solid contender for Celtic.

Wilfried Nancy

Nancy has earned a strong reputation in North America for his smart, attack-minded football. He first took charge of CF Montréal in 2021 after Thierry Henry's departure and quickly made his mark before joining the Columbus Crew a year later. Since then, he's turned Columbus into one of the best teams in MLS, winning the 2023 MLS Cup and being named Coach of the Year in 2024. He also led them to the Leagues Cup title and a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

There's no doubt he's a talented manager, and European clubs showing interest in him is also a sign of quality. However, it's a well-known fact that the MLS isn't quite on the same level as the Premier League or Scottish Premiership. In the current Celtic situation, the club needs a leader who has experience in Europe and doesn't require time to adapt to the new style of play.

Kjetil Knutsen

Knutsen continues to attract Celtic's attention as the Norwegian coach nears the end of his Bodø/Glimt contract. Over the past eight years, he has transformed the Norwegian club into a European success story, earning praise for their fearless, attacking football. Their greatest achievements include the famous 6-1 victory over Roma in 2021, where Jose Mourinho suffered the biggest defeat of his career.

Knutsen has collected multiple Eliteserien titles and three Manager of the Year awards. He put a small team on the map and became one of Europe's most respected tacticians. His deal at the current club expires in December, and there are no signs of an extension.

Ange Postecoglou

Ange remains one of the most respected managers ever to lead Celtic, and his name has resurfaced following Rodgers' exit. During his first spell in Glasgow, the Australian guided the club to five trophies in just two seasons, including league titles and a domestic treble in 2023. His attacking approach was so impressive that it even earned its own nickname - "Angeball" - a fast-paced style that captured fans' hearts and defined his time at the club.

Postecoglou was sacked by Nottingham Forest just minutes after their loss to Chelsea. He failed to win a single match during a month in charge. He's currently a free agent and a strong candidate for the job. However, it's not clear whether Agne would like to return to managing so quickly.

Lee Carsley

Carsley guided England's U21s to the European Championship title and is widely praised for unlocking the potential of young players. Carsley later stepped in as interim England national team manager following Gareth Southgate's departure, handing debuts to several stars, including Noni Madueke, Curtis Jones, and Morgan Rogers. This way, Carsley showcased his modern, development-focused approach.

He knows British football inside out and has previously been considered for multiple Premier League roles. His arrival at Celtic would signal a clear commitment to rebuilding, and perhaps, that's exactly the kind of renewal the club needs right now.

Robbie Keane

The former striker had his short but memorable loan spell at Parkhead in 2010, when he scored 16 goals in 19 appearances. Since his transition into management, Keane won league titles in both Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hungary with Ferencváros. Keane has built a reputation for giving young players real opportunities to shine, which earned him respect in Budapest.

His close relationship with Dermot Desmond could also work in his favour. However, his previous work in Israel splits opinion, and some wonder if Celtic would want to take that kind of risk. Even so, with odds of 7.00, Keane remains a serious name in the running for the job.

Craig Bellamy

Bellamy has quickly made a name for himself as one of Britain's most passionate and determined young managers. Now in charge of the Wales national team, he's led them on an encouraging World Cup qualifying run and made history by going unbeaten in his first four games.

Bellamy gained experience at Cardiff City's academy as a coach. Later, he worked at Anderlecht and Burnley alongside Vincent Kompany, where he actually found his high-pressing style of play. His short spell at Celtic back in 2005 makes him a familiar face for Celtic's fans. He could've been a good pick for the club, but Craig's current focus is to guide Wales through to the World Cup 2026. This makes his transfer highly unlikely.

Nicky Hayen

The 45-year-old has earned plenty of respect in Belgium for his attacking style and ability to improve young players, with Club Brugge once again enjoying a strong season under his guidance.

Still under contract until 2028, Hayen recently spoke about the rumours, admitting he's aware of the talk but insisting his focus remains on Brugge. His offhand comment, "never say never in football", has only added more fuel to the speculation. While it would take a significant fee to bring him to Glasgow, his fresh ideas and proven leadership make him a tempting option for Celtic's hierarchy.

Shaun Maloney

Maloney's coaching journey has come full circle at Celtic. After starting with the club's under-20s in 2017, he joined Belgium's national team staff a year later and helped the team reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals. His managerial career began at Hibernian in 2021, followed by a spell at Wigan Athletic, where he stabilised the club despite off-field challenges.

Maloney returned to Celtic in 2025 as player pathways manager and stepped up as interim assistant after Rodgers' departure. He recently made it clear that his long-term goal is not in the Celtic's hot seat. Bookies placed him in the top 10 list, but mainly because of his current position.

Prediction for Celtic next manager

The Celtic's next permanent manager situation isn't straightforward, especially with O'Neill's future still uncertain. Initially agreed as a short-term solution, he has said that he would like to remain until December. If the results continue to please the board, the club will definitely try to extend his stay, given his successful past at Parkhead.

Some of the names on this list come with complications. McKenna and Hayen are tied to long-term contracts, and Bellamy is focused on the 2026 World Cup with the Wales national team. With several candidates under contract or hesitant to move, we at MightyTips believe that Martin O'Neill will become a permanent manager for Celtic sooner rather than later.

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Klimentijs Konevs

Klimentijs Konevs

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Klimentijs Konevs

Klimentijs Konevs

For more than a decade now, I've been enjoying the world of MMA and boxing. And any match is always a little more interesting to watch if you have a bet placed. That's why I analysing teams, its formations and strategies, following fighters and its techniques, comparing the mental and physical preparation before every fight, watching behind-the-scenes videos of training sessions to accurately weigh the chances of winning.