Brendan Rodgers has ended his second tenure as Celtic’s manager, stepping away after a damaging 3-1 defeat to Hearts on Sunday that widened the gap to league leaders by eight points.
The club confirmed his exit on Monday, plunging the team into transition during a turbulent campaign.
Celtic moved swiftly to install Martin O’Neill, aged 73 and a legendary former boss, alongside ex-player Shaun Maloney as temporary stewards of the first team. While they hunt for a permanent replacement, the duo will guide training and matches, drawing on deep institutional knowledge and past triumphs.
Gratitude Amid Tension
In an official release, the club expressed appreciation for Rodgers’ efforts across both spells:
“His influence was instrumental in securing major honors. We extend best wishes for his future endeavors.”
The statement avoided controversy, focusing on achievements rather than the fractious final weeks.
Interim Duo Brings Familiar Faces
O’Neill returns to the helm he once dominated, while Maloney offers recent playing insight. Their appointment aims to stabilize morale and tactics until a long-term vision crystallizes. Supporters see this pairing as a bridge of experience and continuity.
Betting Markets Point to Postecoglou
Oddsmakers quickly installed Ange Postecoglou freshly dismissed from Nottingham Forest as the frontrunner. His prior Celtic reign delivered silverware and attacking flair, making a potential homecoming intriguing despite the abrupt English exit.
Rodgers’ Impressive Ledger
Returning in June 2023, Rodgers claimed two consecutive Premiership crowns (2023-24, 2024-25), plus the Scottish Cup and League Cup. His earlier stint from 2016 to 2019 remains etched in lore:
- Double trebles
- A 106-point league haul
- An unbeaten domestic season, the first since 1899
Yet this term unraveled with setbacks like an early Champions League ouster to Kairat Almaty and a shocking first loss at Dundee in 37 years.
Transfer Frustrations Boil Over
Rodgers publicly lamented summer recruitment, stating:
“We shed goal-scoring threat and physical presence. You don’t win races driving a compact when you need a sports car.”
He implied board constraints hindered competitiveness.
Board Rebuttal Ignites Firestorm
Influential shareholder Dermot Desmond fired back, labeling the remarks divisive, inaccurate, and self-protective. He insisted:
“Every request received full backing. The narrative doesn’t align with reality.”
Desmond further charged Rodgers with fostering resentment toward executives and staff, poisoning the internal atmosphere.
A Storied Career in Flux
At 52, the Northern Irish tactician boasts a resume including:
- Elevating Swansea to the Premier League
- Nearly winning the title with Liverpool
- Securing the Premier League with underdog Leicester
His Celtic homecoming followed Postecoglou’s departure but ended in acrimony.
Path Forward for the Hoops
With O’Neill and Maloney at the wheel, Celtic seeks to arrest the slide and reignite title hopes. Fans rally behind the interim setup, craving stability and fight.
Rodgers departs with five trophies from two chapters yet his legacy now carries the sting of a bitter farewell.
