Celtic vacancy: Rodgers new favourite to return to Parkhead
Published:
Enzo Maresca now 11/4 second favourite in Celtic manager odds
Brendan Rodgers is the new 11/10 favourite to make a return to Scottish champions Celtic, who are looking for a new manager following Ange Postecoglou’s move to Tottenham.
Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca was the early front-runner in the Celtic manager odds, but he has since been overtaken by former Leicester boss Rodgers.
We look at some of the candidates who may be given consideration by the Parkhead hierarchy.
Brendan Rodgers
The 50-year-old Northern Irishman is out of work after being sacked by Leicester in April. Enjoyed a hugely successful stint of just under three years in charge of Celtic in which he won two consecutive domestic trebles before leaving the club firmly on course to achieve the feat for a third time when he was headhunted by the Foxes in February 2019.
The timing of his departure – when they were closing in on a treble-treble – meant Rodgers left under a cloud in the eyes of a significant section of supporters. The possibility of lingering acrimony may be a stumbling block to his potential return.
Enzo Maresca
Manchester City coach Maresca has emerged as the favourite to take charge of the Scottish champions, who also face competition from Leicester.
As a player, Maresca won Serie A with Juventus in the 2001-2 season and was part of Sevilla’s squad that lifted the UEFA Cup two seasons in a row in 2006 and 2007, but aside from a short-lived spell as Parma coach has never managed a club.
He was an assistant at Ascoli, Sevilla and West Ham before returning to the Etihad where he had previously coached the Under-23 team and is now one of Pep Guadiola’s most trusted lieutenants.
Kjetil Knutsen
The 54-year-old has made a name for himself after establishing Bodo Glimt as one of the top teams in Norway since taking charge in 2018. Led them to their first title in 2020 and followed up the feat a year later. They are currently eight points clear at the top of the Eliteserien.
Has also overseen some impressive European runs over the past three seasons, most notably in the 2021/22 campaign when Bodo Glimt reached the quarter-finals of the Conference League after defeating Postecoglou’s Celtic 5-1 on aggregate.
David Moyes
Currently in charge of Europa Conference League winners West Ham, Moyes’ name always seems to be mentioned when Celtic are looking for a new manager given his Glasgow roots.
The 60-year-old’s future with the Hammers has been in doubt following a disappointing Premier League campaign, but he said at the weekend that he was “really happy at the moment and settled where I am” when asked about his situation and his hand has been strengthened by winning the Europa Conference League. Has previously managed Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland, so has experience of leading major clubs.
Des Buckingham
Not many would have picked the obscure 38-year-old Englishman as a candidate for the Celtic job, but tongues started to wag when he was supposedly spotted at Glasgow airport.
Buckingham is currently in charge of Indian Super League champions Mumbai City, part of the City Group portfolio with whom Postecoglou enjoyed success with Yokohama F Marinos before joining the Hoops.
Kevin Muscat
Sticking with the City Group theme, could another Australian be heading to Celtic Park?
Former Wolves defender Muscat served under Postecoglou and then replaced him at Yokohama F Marinos, who won the J1 League last year and are well placed to retain their title at the midway point of the campaign.
However, Celtic fans have long memories and his one season with Rangers in 2002-3 could count against him despite his success in Japan.
Graham Potter
Currently unemployed after being sacked in April following a chastening spell in charge of Chelsea, Potter – who made his name in an impressive three-year reign at Brighton – would be seen as an eye-catching proposition for many Hoops supporters.
Indeed there are similarities between where Potter is now and where Rodgers was when he chose to head north and get his career back on track with Celtic in 2016 after his sacking from Liverpool. The 48-year-old former Swansea boss’ preferred style of football would be deemed attractive to Celtic, who will be keen to hire someone able to get the most out of a squad built in Postecoglou’s mould over the past two years.
Jesse Marsch
As part of the Red Bull group, the 49-year-old American came to prominence when he led Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg – who had Erling Haaland in attack in his first season in charge – to two consecutive league and cup doubles.
Renowned for his high-intensity approach, Marsch earned a crack at the Leeds job in February 2022 following the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa and ensured they stayed in the Premier League, but a poor start to his first full season at Elland Road led to him being dismissed in February. Was interviewed about recent vacancies at Southampton and Leicester but remains out of work and is still based in the UK.
Scott Brown
The 37-year-old Fleetwood manager spent 14 trophy-laden years as a player at Celtic, the majority as captain, before his departure in 2021. His name is sure to come into consideration given his long association with the club and the high regard in which he is held, but would be seen as a major gamble given his relative lack of managerial experience.
Steered Fleetwood to 58 points and a mid-table finish in League One in his first season in charge, which represented a notable upturn under Brown as they had picked up just 40 points while battling relegation under his predecessor. Also reached the FA Cup fifth round, beating QPR and Sheffield Wednesday along the way.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
