Martin O'Neill returns as Celtic interim until the end of the season
Last updated 5th Jan 2026
Martin O'Neill will return to Celtic as their interim manager until the end of the season.
The 73-year old has been appointed following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy on Monday.
O'Neill spent eight matches in charge of the Hoops earlier in the season after the departure of Brendan Rodgers.
He won seven of his games in the dugout before being replaced by the Frenchman who lasted just over a month.
Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham will assist the veteran boss once again.
Stephen McManus, Gavin Strachan, Stevie Woods and Greg Wallace complete their backroom staff.
Their first match back is at home to Dundee United on Saturday.
O'Neill told the club's official website: “I am really pleased, in fact, very honoured to be asked back to manage the team again and I am looking forward to getting back to work again with the players.
“I know we would all have hoped for things to have worked out differently under Wilfried and I personally want to wish him good luck with everything he does in the game. He is a fine man and I am sure he will go on and achieve success again, I have no doubt of that.
“For me, I've been asked to take this great job on again and my focus will be to try and get us back to winning ways if we can. We will need everyone right behind us.
“We still have a lot to look forward to and a lot to try and achieve, and myself, Shaun and the coaching staff and, of course, the players will be giving everything to achieve all the success we can for the club.”
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond added: “I am pleased to welcome Martin back to Celtic. We know exactly what he will bring and we hope that he can do what he has done for us before, giving us that drive and direction as we move into the next part of the season.
"We all know about his proven track record with the club and hope he can bring us similar success going forward.
“When we appointed Wilfried to the role of manager, clearly we thought we could enjoy a successful period under his control.
"Unfortunately this did not work out in the way we would have liked, and while he and the club are disappointed with the recent period, I want to take this opportunity to wish him well in all he does going forward.”
Chief Executive Michael Nicholson commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Martin back to Celtic as manager until the end of the season and we will give him and the rest of our management team every support as we address the challenges we face during the second half of the season.
"Having spoken to Martin, I know he is excited again to be with us and very committed to doing everything he can, along with Shaun and the other coaches, to deliver the success we all know he can bring.
“Wilfried is someone who we will always respect, and while it is unfortunate that things did not work out, we certainly offer him our best wishes and hope that he can once again achieve success in his future roles.”
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