Three Managers That Have Shone After Leaving Celtic

Three Managers That Have Shone After Leaving Celtic



In the world of football, the managerial merry-go-round never stops spinning, with coaches constantly moving in search of new challenges and opportunities to etch their names into the annals of history. One such man who might find his head on the chopping block is current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers. Despite etching his name into the history books during his first stint with the club with the famed treble-treble between 2017 and 2019, his second stint in charge has been less than successful.

At present, the Bhoys are currently second in the Scottish Premiership, two points behind archrivals Rangers with just nine games remaining. Popular sports betting odds make the current table toppers the 1/2 favorites for glory and to make matters worse, the Hoops were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the group stages for the second straight season as well.

They finished rock bottom of Group E below Atletico Madrid, Lazio, and Feyenoord. The Glasgow outfit picked up just one win in the tournament and have experienced no European knockout football for the second straight campaign. Meanwhile, their cross-city nemesis has a Europa League last-16 tie against Portuguese table toppers Benfica to look forward to.

While dismissing Rodgers is unexpected, things need to improve and fast if he is to be guaranteed to remain in a job. If not, he will be aiming to fare as well as these three who left Celtic Park and went on to have an incredible stint with their next club.

Martin O'Neill: A Villa Park Resurgence

Martin O'Neill's tenure at Celtic from 2000 to 2005 was marked by domestic dominance and a memorable run to the UEFA Cup Final in 2003. He ruled over the Hoops throughout perhaps their finest era of modern times, securing three league titles including a famous treble in 2001. His squad included the likes of Henrik Larsson and Stilyan Petrov however, in 2005, he decided that the time was right for a new challenge and resigned from his post.

His subsequent role at Aston Villa showcased his managerial acumen in the English Premier League, taking his stock to new heights. Taking the helm in 2006, O'Neill revitalized a Villansside that had been languishing in midtable mediocrity for many a year. Under his guidance, the team secured three consecutive sixth-place finishes from 2007 to 2010, flirting with Champions League qualification and reestablishing Villa as a force in English football.

He brought in the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and James Milner, while the strike force of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor became one of the most feared in all of Europe. Despite his departure in 2010 under controversial circumstances, O'Neill's impact at Villa Park remains a highlight of his post-Celtic career. He also led the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2016, where they came within a whisker of beating hosts France.

Brendan Rodgers: From Glasgow to Leicester Glory

Brendan Rodgers left Celtic in 2019 with an impressive haul of seven domestic trophies, including two consecutive trebles. He laid the foundations for Neil Lennon to return and secure the treble-treble, before making it a quadruple treble the following year. His move to Leicester City was met with scepticism by some, with many deeming the post at Parkhead a much more illustrious role than the one waiting for him at the King Power Stadium. Rodgers quickly dispelled any doubts, inheriting a team known for their miraculous Premier League win in 2016 and transforming them into a well-oiled machine after falling off somewhat in the year that followed their finest hour.

Rodgers brought with him fluid, attacking football that was a stark contrast to what the Foxes faithful were used to. He led the club to European qualification in back-to-back seasons, In the first of those they reached the last 16 where they were eliminated by Czech champions Sparta Prague. In the next, they dropped into the Europa Conference League and went on to reach the semifinals before being beaten by Jose Mourinho's eventual champion AS Roma.

However, the pinnacle of Rodgers's tenure came in 2021 when Leicester lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their history, defeating Chelsea in the final thanks to a second-half Youri Tielemans thunderbolt. His spell would ultimately end in disappointment however, receiving the sack after taking the Foxes to the brink of relegation last season.

Ange Postecoglou: Spurs' Australian Revolution

Ange Postecoglou's journey from Celtic to Tottenham Hotspur is perhaps the most intriguing. The Australian took over at Celtic in 2021 as the man that nobody wanted - or had even heard of, for that matter - and immediately set about implementing his aggressive, possession-based football philosophy. In just one season, he led the Hoops back to the summit of Scottish football, winning the Premiership in dominant fashion and setting the stage for his move south of the border.

At Spurs, Postecoglou has continued to impress, instilling a bold, attacking mindset that has seen the North London club compete at the upper echelons of the league and in Europe. His bold defensive line has made headlines all season long and even led the North London club to the summit of the division in its early weeks. As the campaign reaches its latter stages, his side has dropped down to fifth, but remains in contention for a return to the Champions League.