Celtic have parted company with manager Wilfried Nancy after a disastrous 33-day tenure, with club legend Martin O'Neill immediately installed as the favourite to return to Parkhead for a third spell.
The decision was confirmed on Monday afternoon following a humiliating 3-1 home defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm derby—a result that proved the final straw for the Hoops board. Nancy, who was only appointed on December 3rd to replace interim boss O'Neill, oversaw a catastrophic run of six defeats in just eight games, leaving Celtic six points adrift of league leaders Hearts.
Context: The 33-Day Disaster
The appointment of Nancy from MLS side Columbus Crew was viewed as a bold, modern choice to succeed Brendan Rodgers. However, the experiment failed spectacularly. Under the Frenchman, Celtic lost the League Cup final to St Mirren and suffered damaging league defeats that have jeopardised their title defence.
The contrast with his predecessor—and potential successor—could not be starker. Before Nancy’s arrival, Martin O'Neill had stepped in as interim manager following Rodgers' resignation in October. O'Neill won seven of his eight games in charge, stabilising the ship and reigniting the fanbase. The decision to replace the in-form O'Neill with the unproven Nancy is now being viewed as one of the biggest boardroom blunders in the club’s recent history.
The Next Manager Odds
According to the latest markets on Football Transfers, the Celtic hierarchy are expected to admit their mistake and turn back to O'Neill.
- Martin O'Neill (13/8): The clear favourite. Having stabilised the club just weeks ago, he is viewed as the only man capable of salvaging the title race immediately.
- Shaun Maloney (5/2): O'Neill’s assistant during the recent interim spell. He is highly rated as a coach but lacks experience as a number one at this level.
- Ange Postecoglou (4/1): A dream option for fans. Currently a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest, but a return to Scotland may be a step backward for his ambitions.
Transfer Logic: Why O'Neill Returns?
The logic for re-appointing O'Neill is purely pragmatic. With the transfer window open and a title race to salvage, Celtic cannot afford another "project" manager. They need a figurehead who knows the squad, understands the unique pressure of the Glasgow goldfish bowl, and requires zero adaptation time.
O'Neill has already proven—in this very season—that he can get a tune out of this specific group of players. While his style may not be as "progressive" as the board initially wanted with Nancy, the priority has shifted from long-term evolution to short-term survival. Fearing that Hearts could break the Old Firm duopoly, the board is likely to prioritise points over philosophy.
What Happens Next?
Reports from The Scottish Sun suggest initial contact has already been made. If O'Neill accepts, he could be in the dugout for the weekend's fixture. If he declines, the pressure will mount on the board to land a big name like Postecoglou to appease a furious support.