Background and context
Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager after a disappointing start to the current season. His second spell at the Glasgow club, which began in June 2023, had yielded domestic success but was overshadowed by a faltering start in the league this campaign. The defeat at Hearts, losing 3-1 and leaving Celtic eight points behind the league leaders, proved to be the final tipping point that led to his departure. The news marks the end of a high-profile return in which Rodgers sought to build on the club’s domestic dominance and rekindle European aspirations.
Resignation details and official statement
In a club statement, Celtic confirmed that Rodgers had tendered his resignation and that it had been accepted with immediate effect. The statement acknowledged Rodgers’ contributions across two periods at the club and expressed gratitude for the role he played during a period of sustained success. It also noted that the process to appoint a new permanent manager is underway and promised further updates for supporters in due course.
Interim leadership named
With Rodgers’s departure, Celtic appointed former manager Martin O’Neill and former Celtic player Shaun Maloney to take charge of first-team matters in the interim. The club stated that additional details would be confirmed shortly as they navigated the transition and began the search for a permanent successor.
What went wrong this season
Rodgers had steered Celtic to league titles and cup glory in his earlier spell and had presided over a remarkable season in which the club reportedly amassed a record number of points and went undefeated in the league during one campaign. Yet this season’s performance dip, most visibly reflected in a poor start and a notable Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty, cast a shadow over his reign. Speaking publicly after disappointing recruitment and transfer windows, Rodgers had warned that resources and performance must align with the intensity and expectations at Celtic Park.
Reaction and perspectives
The club’s leadership has defended the decision as a necessary step to protect Celtic’s long-term ambitions. Dermot Desmond, the principal shareholder, publicly criticized some of Rodgers’s public remarks about transfers and club operations, arguing that the club had consistently supported him and that every player transfer was undertaken with his involvement. Supporters and pundits have debated whether the move will yield immediate improvements or whether restoring stability will require time and a careful appointment process.
Looking ahead
With the interim arrangement in place, Celtic face the task of maintaining momentum while they seek a permanent manager who can sustain domestic dominance and reassert European competitiveness. The club will be hoping that a refreshed leadership structure, combined with a clear strategic plan for recruitment and development, can help close the gap on rivals and restore momentum in all competitions. The situation also presents an opportunity for the new era to begin with a clean slate, allowing players to focus on performances on the pitch rather than off-pitch upheaval.
Past triumphs and enduring legacy
Rodgers’s earlier tenure at Celtic delivered trebles, unbeaten league runs, and a sustained spell of domestic supremacy. While the current setback has ended his latest chapter at Parkhead, the six years across his two spells left a lasting imprint on the club’s modern history. Whether this resignation will be remembered as a turning point toward renewed success or as a precursor to a broader period of transition remains to be seen, but Celtic supporters will be watching closely as the club plots its next steps.
