Celtic’s manager Brendan Rodgers has officially stepped down following a 3-1 loss to Hearts on Sunday. The club has disclosed that former Hoops manager Martin O’Neill and ex-Celtic player Shaun Maloney will temporarily take over coaching duties.
The recent defeat at Tynecastle has left Celtic trailing behind Hearts by eight points in the Scottish Premiership standings after nine games. Additionally, Celtic’s performance in the Europa League has been disappointing, currently ranking 21st in the group stage with only one victory.
Subsequently, the Glasgow club is now in search of a new manager as Rodgers’ unexpected departure marks the end of his second tenure at the team. In an announcement on the club’s website, it was confirmed that Rodgers had submitted his resignation, which was accepted by Celtic.
Expressing appreciation for Rodgers’ contributions during his successful stints at the club, Celtic conveyed gratitude and well wishes for his future endeavors. Plans are underway to appoint a permanent replacement, with O’Neill and Maloney assuming interim managerial responsibilities in the meantime.
Rodgers, who previously managed Leicester City, Liverpool, and Swansea City, returned to Celtic Park in 2023, securing consecutive titles in addition to previous league victories in 2017 and 2018.
However, the 55-year-old departs at a time when Celtic’s dominance is under threat from Hearts, who have surged under manager Derek McInnes. Hearts currently leads the league with an unbeaten record, having defeated prominent Scottish rivals Celtic and Rangers.
Despite the setback against Hearts, Rodgers emphasized his commitment to the ongoing season’s challenges and urged his team to maintain confidence and focus on improving their performance throughout the remaining 29 matches.
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