![\"Premier](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2-Insets-2-4-1140x641.jpg\")
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Credit: Imago<\/p>\n
![\"Evan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2f351e28fc88420b1a94b5bbb907d2dc.png\")
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Tue 13 January 2026 15:00, UK <\/p>\n
Celtic are currently making plans ahead of the summer when they will need to appoint a new permanent manager.<\/p>\n
Martin O\u2019Neill returned to Celtic<\/a> last week and will remain in interim charge until the end of the season, but he is unlikely to stay on past that.<\/p>\n The Northern Irishman has already led the Bhoys after two managerial departures this season, with the second now being the exit of Wilfried Nancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nancy was dismissed by Celtic<\/a> just 33 days after his arrival, the Frenchman having lost five of his seven games in charge.<\/p>\n Roy Keane has been linked with the Celtic job<\/a>, as have Robbie Keane<\/a> and current interim Manchester United<\/a> manager Darren Fletcher<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf0 Martin O’Neill: I’m very pleased and privileged to be back at the football club<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa Watch Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s full interview with @CelticTV<\/a> \u2935\ufe0f#CelticFC<\/a>\ud83c\udf40<\/p>\n \u2014 Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n Roberto Martinez leads Celtic race as odds slashed<\/p>\n Roberto Martinez has emerged as a strong contender for the Celtic job<\/a>, with the 52-year-old potentially considering a return to club management.<\/p>\n MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES<\/p>\n The Spaniard is currently overseeing the Portugal<\/a> international team, with whom he won the 2024-25 Nations League.<\/p>\n Martinez<\/a> has not managed a club since 2016, when he was appointed by Belgium<\/a> after he was sacked by Everton<\/a>. <\/p>\n Roberto MartinezEvertonWins62Draws37Losses44Scored239Conceded192<\/p>\n The former Swansea City<\/a> midfielder began his managerial career with the Swans, and would go on to manage Wigan Athletic<\/a> between 2009 and 2013.<\/p>\n It was there that he enjoyed one of the most iconic moments in FA Cup<\/a> history, when Ben Watson\u2019s late header saw Wigan beat Manchester City<\/a> at Wembley to lift the iconic trophy.<\/p>\n Although Martinez would not be there to see it, the Latics would, incredibly, play in the Europa League<\/a> in the following season despite having been relegated to the Championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Spaniard was appointed by Everton in 2013, and would spend almost three years there.<\/p>\n Martinez\u2019s odds of taking over ahead of Celtic<\/a>\u2018s 2026-27 season opener have been slashed to 5\/4 by one major bookmaker in recent hours, ahead of O\u2019Neill<\/a> (6\/4) and Shaun Maloney<\/a> (8\/1).<\/p>\n Martinez appointment may be meant to be after what he revealed<\/p>\n It is unclear whether Martinez would return to club management, considering the reputation he has built up at the international stage, but, if so, Celtic could well be the club to convince him.<\/p>\n Back in 2018, the Spaniard revealed that he had been in contention for the job previously.<\/p>\n \u201cI had conversations and I was always very impressed with the need to bring silverware,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n![\"Portugal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Martinez-819x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Roberto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto-Martinz-1024x683.jpg\")
Credit: Imago<\/p>\n