Former Liverpool coach resigns, Postecoglou set to return to European football giant

Celtic confirmed on their official website that manager Brendan Rodgers has submitted his resignation following a series of disappointing results recently. This decision opens the door for a very familiar name, Ange Postecoglou, to possibly return to Celtic Park.

According to the club’s announcement, Brendan Rodgers chose to step down shortly after Celtic’s 1-3 defeat to Hearts in the 9th round of the Scottish Premiership, marking their second consecutive loss in the domestic league. This result allowed Hearts to extend their lead over Celtic to 8 points, pushing Celtic further behind in the title race.

Not only struggling domestically, Celtic also performed poorly in the Europa League, securing only one win in three matches and currently ranking 21st in the overall standings. Nevertheless, Rodgers left a notable legacy with 2 Scottish league titles, 1 Scottish Cup, and 1 League Cup during his more than two years in charge (since June 2023).

Statistics show that the Northern Irish coach managed 124 matches with a win rate of 66.94%, an impressive figure but insufficient to retain his position amid Celtic’s decline.

After the former Liverpool coach’s departure, Celtic temporarily appointed the duo Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney as interim managers while the club’s board urgently searches for a long-term replacement. According to sources from England, Ange Postecoglou, recently dismissed by Nottingham Forest, is emerging as the top candidate.

The Australian strategist had a golden period with Celtic from 2021 to 2023, leading the team to 2 Scottish league titles, 1 Scottish Cup, and 2 League Cups. Notably, in the 2022/23 season, he guided Celtic to a historic treble, a feat that earned him the opportunity to work at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.

Although his time at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest did not meet expectations, Postecoglou is still highly regarded for his modern attacking philosophy and ability to inspire in the dressing room. Currently a free agent after being sacked by Nottingham just 39 days into his tenure, he is reportedly seriously considering an offer from Celtic.

In the official statement, Celtic’s leadership expressed gratitude to Rodgers for “his significant contributions during two successful tenures”and confirmed that the process of finding a new manager “is underway and updates will be provided to fans soon.”

If all goes smoothly, Ange Postecoglou is very likely to reunite with Celtic within the next few weeks, marking an emotional return for the coach once seen as the one who brought a fiery attacking identity to the Glasgow club.

Once again, the Scottish football “giant” faces a major turning point, and it may well be Postecoglou who injects fresh energy to help Celtic return to the title race.