Martin O'Neill extends Celtic managership after historic double

Martin O'Neill will remain as Celtic coach after leading the team to a fantastic double by winning the Premiership and Scottish Cup. The 74-year-old Northern Ireland manager agreed a contract for a further season, with an option for a further year, following discussions with the club's main shareholder Dermot Desmond this week. Formalization by the club is still awaited.

Returning at the end of October for an interim mission following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill first played eight games, before giving way to Wilfried Nancy, whose mixed results led to his departure. O'Neill took over the reins in January to end the season in style: the title was won on the last day, against Heart of Midlothian (3-1), then O'Neill's ninth personal cup was acquired during the victory against Dunfermline Athletic (3-1) in the final of the Scottish Cup.

Over the entire 2025-2026 season, O'Neill managed 35 matches in all competitions, for 27 wins and 4 draws. His impressive ratio of 2.56 points per match in the league equals that of his first period at the head of the club (2000-2005).

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Many names had been circulated for the Celtic coaching job, including Robbie Keane and Dane Jens Berthel Askou. But it is O'Neill who will continue the adventure, with participation in the play-off round of the next Champions League, a stage which was fatal to the club last season. Celtic then found themselves in the Europa League, with O'Neill managing four European matches as well as the round of 16 loss to Stuttgart.

Last season, O'Neill also led his team to a notable victory against Rangers in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup before seeing Nancy lose in the final to St Mirren (1-3). Rangers were also eliminated from the Scottish Cup by Celtic in the quarter-final.

This renewal of confidence in Martin O'Neill further establishes his legend on the Celtic Park side, while the club hopes to reach a new level on the European scene.