Brendan Rodgers: Managers who returned to Celtic
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Managers who went back to Celtic: Rodgers back at Parkhead
Brendan Rodgers has returned as Celtic manager on a three-year contract.
Rodgers replaces Ange Postecoglou four years and four months after his sudden departure to Leicester after winning seven out of seven domestic trophies with the Hoops.
Here, we look at how two other managers fared when they returned to Celtic for a second time.
Billy McNeill
The Lisbon Lions captain initially enjoyed a triumphant comeback when returning to the managerial hot seat in 1987 before the club went on to experience some turbulent times.
McNeill had succeeded his former boss Jock Stein back in 1978 after a successful spell as Aberdeen manager, and won three titles in his five seasons as well as one Scottish Cup and one League Cup, during a spell when the Dons and Dundee United upset the Old Firm duopoly.
💚 Billy McNeill 🤍
The #CelticFC legend was appointed Hoops manager for the second time #OnThisDay in 1987. pic.twitter.com/yiSZFGDudE
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 28, 2020
After spells with Manchester City and Aston Villa, McNeill replaced Davie Hay after his former team-mate paid the price for a barren season in the face of a Rangers side rejuvenated by Graeme Souness.
McNeill immediately led Celtic to the double in their centenary season and stopped Rangers winning the treble in 1989 when Joe Miller’s goal earned the Hoops a Scottish Cup final win. But Celtic missed out on European qualification the following season and McNeill was sacked in May 1991 after a second campaign without a trophy.
Neil Lennon
Lennon continued the success of Rodgers after being drafted in to replace his fellow Northern Irishman in February 2019 but he also suffered a disappointing end to his second reign.
The former Hoops skipper won the Scottish Cup in 2011 at the end of his first full season in charge and went on to win three consecutive titles as well as the 2013 Scottish Cup.
Lennon is the last man to lead Celtic into the knockout stages of the Champions League, with victory over Barcelona helping them make the last 16 in 2012-13.
After spells with Bolton and Hibernian, he finished off the clean sweep Rodgers started in 2019 and was in charge when they completed the quadruple treble in December 2020 following Covid disruptions.
His reign was starting to implode though and Celtic’s 10-in-a-row dreams crashed and burned. A League Cup defeat by Ross County ended their 12-trophy run of success and he resigned after a league defeat by the Staggies in February 2021.
