Celtic To Decide If Martin O'Neill Or Robbie Keane Is Next Coach
Two names are dominating as Celtic's next manager—Martin O'Neill and Robbie Keane—with talks expected to take place between the team's management and the two candidates.
The talk of the world of Scottish football is now heating up: There are only two strong candidates for the position of Celtic's permanent head coach—Martin O'Neill and Robbie Keane. According to reports, the Celtic board are set to hold discussions with the two coaches in order to immediately choose the next manager of the team before the start of a long and important summer for the Scottish champions.
After returning from retirement, O'Neill led Celtic and achieved the double—league and cup—in his two interim stints this season. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane is just starting his coaching career and has had some success in Israel and Hungary. These two are clearly the favorites after Jens Berthel Askou (of Motherwell) left the running for Toulouse and Craig Bellamy stayed in Wales.
Recently, O'Neill were crowned champions and it was their fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title after overcoming Hearts. But he admits he is tired, and also admits the club may need a younger manager. However, he didn't completely close the door on a return to coaching, insisting that veterans can still contribute to the game.
O'Neill's legacy at Celtic was further cemented after he led the team through a season of challenge and confusion, especially as he twice stepped in as coach following the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. Among his expected staff members are Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham—both of whom he has worked with this season.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1200/cpsprodpb/11bb/live/37627550-5e9a-11f1-89a3-d1f559421220.png" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>On the other hand, Robbie Keane has long been looked up to as a potential manager due to his previous playing career for Celtic. After successful stints as coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and Ferencvaros (Hungary), whispers grew louder when his resignation in Hungary was reported. He won the league title in Israel and managed Ferencvaros to a seventh straight championship, although they failed to defend the title this year. In Europe, Ferencvaros fared beyond expectations—they reached the last 16 of the Europa League, beat Rangers and Genk, and despite a limited budget, recorded several impressive wins.
Keane is close to the style of attacking football with an emphasis on the quick offensive, and he even has a statement that he doesn't like it when his centre-backs are only short-passing. If he is chosen, it is also possible that he will bring as an assistant the former Celtic captain Scott Brown, youth coach Jonny Hayes, or his current partner in Hungary, Stephen Glass.
Some Celtic supporters have also expressed their views. Most are in favor of giving O'Neill one more year, but believe there should be a plan to bring in new blood should he decide to retire again after next season. Meanwhile, others hope that, if not Keane, there could be a new generation of managers coming through next year.
The board's decision will be crucial, especially as they don't want a repeat of the manager's consistently late appointments. Look out for the official announcement from Celtic's management in the coming days as to who will be chosen to carry the team's flag for next season.