Brendan Rodgers Resigns as Celtic Manager, Martin O’Neill Returns in Interim Role

The depth of recent unrest within Celtic has become clear following the resignation of manager Brendan Rodgers. In an unusually forthright response, the club’s principal and typically private shareholder, Dermot Desmond, condemned what he described as Rodgers’s “self-serving” behaviour. In a further dramatic development, Martin O’Neill is set to return to the club two decades after his initial departure, taking charge on an interim basis.

Celtic confirmed Rodgers’s exit shortly before 10pm on Monday. Former Republic of Ireland manager O’Neill, assisted by Shaun Maloney, will oversee Wednesday’s home match against Falkirk at Celtic Park, and is expected to remain in the dugout for Sunday’s League Cup semi-final against Rangers. The club are also expected to review the situation of another former manager, Ange Postecoglou, who recently left Nottingham Forest.

However, the fallout from Rodgers’s departure is unlikely to settle quickly. His final match was Sunday’s 3–1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, which leaves Celtic eight points adrift at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Rodgers had publicly voiced frustration over the lack of summer signings — sentiments which, according to club figures, fuelled fan protests directed at the board.

Within minutes of Celtic’s official announcement, Desmond released a strongly worded statement. “I want to acknowledge Brendan’s contribution across his two spells as manager, during which he helped deliver success that forms part of the club’s modern history,” said the Irish businessman. “However, I must also express my deep disappointment at how the past several months have unfolded.

“When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust.

“In June, both [chief executive] Michael Nicholson and I made clear to Brendan that we were keen to offer him a contract extension, reaffirming our full backing and long-term commitment to him. He said he would need to think about it. Yet, in subsequent press conferences, Brendan implied that the club had made no such offer. That was simply untrue.”

Rodgers’s existing deal was due to expire next summer, and there appeared little prospect of him signing a new one.

Desmond continued: “Every player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval, and endorsement. Any suggestion otherwise is entirely false.”

He also stressed that Rodgers had “final say over all football matters” and rejected criticism of the club’s transfer strategy. “When his public comments were made, I sought to address them directly,” Desmond said. “Brendan and I met for over three hours at his home in Scotland to discuss the issue. Despite ample opportunity, he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had obstructed or failed to support him. The facts simply did not align with his public narrative.

“Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and encouraged hostility towards members of the executive team and the board. Some of the abuse directed at them, and their families, has been entirely unwarranted and unacceptable.”

Following the loss to Hearts, Rodgers rejected claims that he had attempted to shift blame. “I’ve always taken responsibility,” he insisted. “There’s never been a time when I haven’t. When you’re the manager of Celtic, you’re accountable for results, regardless of what else happens. That responsibility lies with me.”