Celtic re-appoint Martin O'Neill after Wilfried Nancy sacking
Martin O'Neill is back at Celtic for an interim stint, replacing Wilfried Nancy at the helm after the French manager's dismissal. O'Neill's return follows a remarkable shift in Celtic's coaching landscape, aiming to rejuvenate the team's performance in the remainder of the season amid fierce competition in the Scottish Premiership.
Martin O'Neill is already back at Celtic on an interim basis until the end of the season, replacing Wilfried Nancy at the helm after the French manager was dismissed just eight games into a two-and-a-half year contract. O'Neill had preceded Nancy at Parkhead, initially holding the fort for an eight-game run when Brendan Rodgers was dismissed in October.After recording an 87.5% win percentage earlier this season, followed by Nancy's 25% - the best and worst in Celtic history one after the other - O'Neill was an obvious choice to get back at the club. He will be supported by a coaching staff that includes Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, Gavin Strachan, Stevie Woods and Greg Wallace, as well as newly hired former Celtic defender Stephen McManus."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," O'Neill told the club's official website."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."Celtic trail Hearts by six points in the Scottish Premiership standings, putting the pressure on to deliver in what remains of the 2025-26 season.Interim chairman Brian Wilson called it "an intense disappointment" the way things worked out with Nancy, but expressed optimism about the months now ahead."By bringing Martin back to the club, we look forward with confidence, giving the team real focus for the challenges ahead. He is a manager the players, staff and supporters know well, with a peerless reputation in football and a deep commitment to Celtic," Wilson said."The immediate priority is to get back to winning ways and while today's events do not address every issue, I would appeal for unity within the stadium to create the best possible environment for the manager and team to launch the fight-back."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The tone from Celtic's top brass is very much disappointment that Nancy didn't do better in the job, because clearly he had become well liked on a personal level in just a few short weeks in Glasgow."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," said chief executive Michael Nicholson."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."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingCeltic don't exactly have time to waste, with Hearts gunning to become the first non-Old Firm club to be crowned Scottish champions since an Aberdeen side led by a young Alex Ferguson climbed to the top of the mountain in successive seasons more than 40 years ago. Rangers have had their own equally underwhelming so far that has also included managerial turmoil.O'Neill's first opportunity to lay down a marker will come against Dundee United on January 10.
The Return of Martin O'Neill
After Wilfried Nancy's abrupt departure from Celtic just eight games into his tenure, Martin O'Neill has been called upon to lead the team once again on an interim basis until the end of the season. O'Neill, a familiar face at Parkhead, boasts a successful track record and an intimate understanding of the club's culture and expectations.
A Drastic Turn of Events
The contrasting win percentages of 87.5% under O'Neill initially this season and a mere 25% under Nancy painted a vivid picture of the club's struggles. O'Neill's swift reappointment underscores the urgent need to restore Celtic's winning ways and close the gap with current league leaders Hearts.
Management and Support
O'Neill will be supported by a seasoned coaching staff comprising Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, Gavin Strachan, Stevie Woods, Greg Wallace, and Stephen McManus. With a blend of experience and fresh talent, the team aims to realign its focus and reignite its competitive edge under O'Neill's guidance.
Challenging Times Ahead
Celtic's board expressed disappointment over Nancy's brief tenure but voiced confidence in O'Neill's ability to rally the team. With a critical six-point deficit behind Hearts, O'Neill faces immediate pressure to deliver results and revitalize Celtic's pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title.
Looking Forward
As Celtic navigates a pivotal juncture in the 2025-26 season, O'Neill's return signifies a strategic shift to re-establish the club's dominance in Scottish football. The emphasis on unity and collective support underscores the collective effort required to propel Celtic back to the summit of domestic football.
Future Prospects
With Old Firm rivals Rangers also facing uncertainties, the Scottish Premiership race has intensified, culminating in a high-stakes battle for supremacy. O'Neill's leadership will be crucial in steering Celtic through the challenges ahead and reasserting their status as a formidable force in Scottish football.







