Martin O’Neill has made it clear that his return to Celtic is strictly non permanent, saying he’s solely “maintaining the seat heat” for the membership’s subsequent everlasting supervisor.
The 73-year-old, who managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005 in one of many membership’s most profitable durations, has stepped in as interim boss following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation on Monday.
Rodgers’ departure was rapidly adopted by a strongly worded assertion from main shareholder Dermot Desmond, who accused the previous supervisor of being “divisive, deceptive, and self-serving” throughout his time on the membership.
Chatting with TalkSport, O’Neill admitted he was surprised when requested to return.
“I took a pant of breath and requested if this was actual,” he mentioned. “It’s troublesome to show down somebody who gave you the job within the first place once they had nice choices 25 years in the past. By the point I pulled myself off the ground, I believed possibly I ought to do it.”
O’Neill’s first sport again in cost will probably be towards Falkirk at Celtic Park on Wednesday night time. He will probably be joined by former participant Shaun Maloney, who has are available as his assistant.
The veteran coach final labored in administration in 2019 with Nottingham Forest, following his spell as Republic of Eire boss, which ended the 12 months earlier than.
His earlier tenure at Celtic stays legendary, having delivered three league titles, three Scottish Cups, one League Cup, and led the membership to the UEFA Cup ultimate in 2003.
“It’s brief time period. Celtic are in all probability surprised on the information Brendan left. They’re clearly looking for a everlasting supervisor, so it’s a short-term match,” O’Neill defined. “Interim does imply interim. It’s so simple as that. Celtic are on the lookout for, I assume, a younger coach with confirmed skill. We wish to pull the membership ahead now.
“Naturally, I had an excellent time at Celtic, it was a privilege. I can’t emphasise sufficient, it’s brief time period till a everlasting supervisor is appointed. I’ll simply maintain the seat heat.”
O’Neill joked that he would possibly attain out to one in every of his former gamers for help, including: “I’d name Henrik Larsson to ask him if he’s been staying within the health club.”
Celtic presently sit eight factors behind leaders Coronary heart of Midlothian after their 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle on Sunday, and have additionally endured a disappointing run in Europe in addition to a quiet switch window.
In a unprecedented open letter to followers, Dermot Desmond publicly challenged Rodgers’ account of his exit, denying claims that he was denied management over transfers or provided an extension.
“In actuality, he was given ultimate say over all soccer issues and was persistently backed within the recruitment course of, together with report funding in gamers he personally recognized and authorised,” Desmond wrote.
“Regrettably, his phrases and actions since then have been divisive, deceptive and self-serving. They’ve contributed to a poisonous environment across the membership and fuelled hostility in direction of members of the manager group and the board.
“What has failed just lately was not as a consequence of our construction or mannequin however to at least one particular person’s need for self-preservation on the expense of others.”
