Martin O'Neill announced as permanent Celtic manager after League & Cup Double

The 74-year-old has signed a one-year deal after guiding Celtic to the league and cup double.

Martin O’Neill is Celtic manager again and this time it’s permanent. The 74-year-old Northern Irishman has signed a one-year deal to remain in charge at Parkhead into the 2026–27 season, with the option of a second year.

O’Neill led Celtic to a stunning League and Cup double after stepping back into the hot seat midway through what was a chaotic campaign. He had previously vacated the role when Wilfried Nancy was handed the job on a permanent basis part of the way through last season.

The Frenchman’s tenure was disastrous, with Nancy sacked just 33 days later after only eight games, a League Cup loss, and a derby defeat. Derry man O’Neill answered the call once more, turning the defending champions’ season around in dramatic fashion, culminating in an incredible final-day league-title-clinching win over Hearts at Parkhead.

Robbie Keane had been heavily linked with the position after leaving his role at Ferencvaros. The former Ireland striker had enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Celtic Park in 2010 and has won league titles in Israel and Hungary as a manager.

But Keane’s potential appointment sparked furious backlash from sections of the Celtic support, who objected to his previous managerial spell with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. A statement opposing his appointment was said to be signed by dozens of Celtic supporters groups, and the row around his candidacy forced the club to look elsewhere.

Celtic hierarchy did hold talks about Keane, with him meeting shareholder Dermot Desmond earlier this week. However, the controversy surrounding Keane’s Israel connection made O’Neill the clear alternative.

O’Neill had sought time to consider his position after the Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline. But the sense was always that he would be keen on the role for the longer term.

Remarkably, this comes 26 years after O’Neill became Celtic manager after leaving Leicester City. That first spell was hugely successful with Celtic winning three Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups under O’Neill, plus a run to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, where they lost to José Mourinho’s Porto.

Now, after those two interim spells and a domestic double, he’s back for keeps at Parkhead.