Glasgow, Scotland – October 28, 2025 – In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, Brendan Rodgers has resigned from his position as Celtic manager with immediate effect. The announcement came on Monday following a tumultuous period for the club, culminating in a 3-1 defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, which left Celtic eight points behind the Edinburgh side at the top of the table.
Celtic Football Club issued an official statement confirming the departure: "Football manager Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation and will leave his role with immediate effect." The club expressed gratitude for Rodgers' contributions, stating, "Brendan leaves with our thanks for the role he has played during a period of continued success for the club and we wish him further success in the future." The statement also revealed that the search for a permanent successor is already underway, ensuring a swift transition to maintain stability during a critical phase of the season.
In the interim, Celtic has appointed a familiar duo to steer the ship. Former manager Martin O'Neill, who led the club to multiple trophies between 2000 and 2005, including a UEFA Cup final appearance in 2003, will return in a caretaker capacity alongside former player Shaun Maloney. Maloney, a product of Celtic's youth academy who made over 100 appearances for the club and won several honors, including the Scottish Premier League, brings recent coaching experience from his time as manager of Wigan Athletic and the Belgium national team staff. The club praised the pair's agreement to handle first-team affairs, saying, "We are pleased that during this interim period former Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill and former Celtic player, Shaun Maloney have agreed to take charge of Celtic first-team matters."
Rodgers, aged 52, was in his second stint at Celtic Park, having rejoined the club in June 2023 after the departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur. His return was met with high expectations, building on a highly successful first tenure from May 2016 to February 2019. During that initial spell, the Northern Irishman orchestrated an era of unparalleled dominance in Scottish football. In his debut season (2016-17), Celtic amassed a record 106 points in the Premiership, completing an unbeaten domestic campaign – the first Scottish top-flight side to do so since 1899. This "Invincibles" season was capped with a treble, including the Scottish Cup and League Cup.
Rodgers' first period also saw back-to-back trebles, with league titles in 2017 and 2018, alongside further cup successes. He departed mid-season in 2019 to take the reins at Leicester City in the English Premier League, where he won the FA Cup in 2021 and secured European qualification. Prior to Celtic, Rodgers had managed Swansea City, guiding them to promotion to the Premier League and a League Cup triumph, and Liverpool, where he narrowly missed out on the Premier League title in 2013-14, finishing second behind Manchester City.
Upon his 2023 return, Rodgers wasted little time reasserting Celtic's supremacy. He clinched the Scottish Premiership in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, adding the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup to his trophy cabinet. This brought his total haul at Celtic to five league titles, multiple domestic cups, and an enduring legacy of tactical acumen and player development. Stars like Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum McGregor, and Reo Hatate flourished under his guidance, blending high-pressing football with clinical finishing.
However, the 2025-26 season has proven to be a stark contrast. Early warning signs emerged with Celtic's embarrassing exit from the Champions League qualifiers at the hands of Kazakhstani underdogs Kairat Almaty. The tie, which saw Celtic overturned despite their status as heavy favorites, highlighted vulnerabilities in squad depth and European preparedness. Domestically, inconsistencies mounted, with a shocking first defeat at Dundee in 37 years earlier this month serving as a harbinger of deeper issues.
The defeat to Hearts on Sunday was the tipping point. Goals from Lawrence Shankland and a brace from Barrie McKay exposed defensive frailties, while Celtic's attack, once prolific, managed only a consolation through Daizen Maeda. The result not only widened the gap to leaders Hearts but also intensified scrutiny on Rodgers' management and the club's transfer strategy.
Tensions had been simmering for weeks, particularly regarding the summer transfer window. Rodgers publicly voiced frustrations over perceived lack of investment, stating after the Dundee loss: "The team had lost a lot of firepower, a lot of goals. And there's no way you'll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say, 'I want you to drive it like a Ferrari'. It's not going to happen." His metaphor underscored a belief that the squad had been weakened by departures without adequate replacements, impacting goal-scoring prowess.
Celtic's majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, responded forcefully, defending the board's backing of Rodgers. In a rare public statement, Desmond remarked that the manager's criticisms had come "entirely out of the blue." He emphasized: "At no point prior to those remarks had he raised any such concerns with me, Michael (Nicholson, chief executive), or any member of the board or executive team. In reality, he was given final say over all football matters and was consistently backed in the recruitment process – including record investment in players he personally identified and approved."
This exchange laid bare a rift between Rodgers and the hierarchy, with sources close to the club indicating that disagreements over recruitment philosophy and budget allocation had eroded trust. Rodgers, known for his data-driven approach and emphasis on high-caliber signings, reportedly felt constrained in a market where Celtic's financial model prioritizes sustainability over splashy expenditures. Key departures, such as Jota to Al-Ittihad and potential unrest among remaining stars, compounded the issues.
The resignation marks the end of an era for Celtic, who have enjoyed near-uninterrupted success under Rodgers' two spells. His overall record at the club stands at an impressive win percentage exceeding 70%, with 12 major trophies won. Yet, the manner of his exit – amid a title challenge faltering and public spats – raises questions about the club's direction. Rivals Rangers, currently in a rebuilding phase under Philippe Clement, will eye the vacancy with interest, though Celtic's resources remain formidable.
Interim bosses O'Neill and Maloney face an immediate test: a midweek League Cup quarter-final followed by a Premiership clash against Aberdeen. O'Neill, 73, brings vast experience, having managed Celtic to three league titles, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup, plus international success with the Republic of Ireland. Maloney, 42, offers a modern tactical perspective, having implemented possession-based styles in his managerial roles.
Speculation on a permanent replacement is rife. Names circulating include Enzo Maresca, formerly of Leicester and Chelsea; Knutsen of Bodø/Glimt; and even a potential return for Neil Lennon. Celtic's board, led by CEO Michael Nicholson, has vowed a thorough process, prioritizing a manager aligned with the club's long-term vision.
For Rodgers, the future is uncertain but promising. His track record in the Premier League – with top-four finishes at Liverpool and European runs at Leicester – positions him as a candidate for high-profile vacancies. Clubs like West Ham or even a return to England could beckon, though he may seek a project with full backing.
Celtic supporters, known for their passionate backing, reacted with a mix of shock and understanding on social media and outside Parkhead. Chants of "Brendan Rodgers' Green and White Army" echoed in recent years, but recent performances had drawn boos. The club now enters a pivotal chapter, aiming to reclaim domestic hegemony while navigating European ambitions.
As the dust settles, one fact remains: Rodgers' legacy at Celtic is indelible – a manager who delivered invincibility, trebles, and titles. His departure, however abrupt, closes a chapter of glory but opens the door to renewal under new leadership.
