Next Celtic manager: Kieran McKenna, Ange Postecoglou and Craig Bellamy eyed for Hoops job after Brendan Rodgers leaves | Football news

Kieran McKenna, Ange Postecoglou and Craig Bellamy are among the candidates to replace Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

The search for a new manager is in full swing and Celtic will sound out potential candidates this week as they search for a boss to take charge of the club permanently, while Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney will temporarily look after first-team affairs.

It is understood a number of targets were already identified ahead of the expected move this summer, but Rodgers' shock resignation has forced the club to step up their search ahead of schedule.

Celtic reportedly open to talks with former boss Postécogloubut it remains to be seen whether the Australian wants to return to management – and Celtic – so soon after his dismissal from Nottingham Forest.

Head coach of Ipswich Town McKenna is another name that the club really likes.

The Irishman, who has been linked with jobs at Man Utd, Chelsea and Brighton in recent seasons, is under contract until 2028.

It is understood this would require compensation of around £5 million.

Sky Sports News understands that Ipswich do not want to lose their boss, but would not stand in his way if he expressed a desire to leave.

It is believed it would take a long time to convince McKenna to leave Ipswich mid-season.

McKenna, 39, guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from the EFL and a first Premier League campaign at Portman Road for 22 years. This season ended in relegation, with Ipswich now 12th in the Sky Bet Championship.

Bellamy, a coach Celtic admire

Meanwhile, the Wales boss Bellamy – who played for Celtic in 2005 – is another manager the club admire. He is currently preparing for Wales' crucial World Cup qualifiers next month against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia.

Scottish champions followed Bodo/Glimt Kjetil Knutsen and Club Brugge Nicky Hayen – but luring them away from their current jobs mid-season could prove to be a challenge.

Celtic have also been linked with a former striker Robbie Keane and former coach Damien Duff.

The two Irishmen maintain close ties with main shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Keane is currently manager of Ferencvaros, where he won the Hungarian title last season. He had also won the Israeli championship the previous season, with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Duff was highly regarded as Celtic manager and left the club in 2020 to become assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland. He went on to manage Shelbourne and win the League of Ireland in 2024, before leaving earlier this year.

Former Celtic boss O'Neill and ex-player Maloney fill in in the interim, with Celtic in action against Falkirk on Wednesday before an Old Firm League Cup semi-final against Rangers on Sunday.

O'Neill says he is returning to the club until a permanent manager is appointed, and believes Celtic will be looking for a “young manager with proven ability and a track record”.

Sutton: Ange is a smart choice to replace Rodgers

Chris Sutton says Postecoglou is the 'obvious choice' to replace Rodgers at Parkhead.

“I think Ange Postecoglou would be a really smart appointment. He was loved from the first time,” Sutton said.

“His brand of football has been well received in Glasgow. He is unemployed.

“I think it would be a pretty obvious choice, a good choice and would bring a lot of positivity back to Celtic, which they need at the moment.”

'I had 10 minutes to decide' – O'Neill on Celtic's 'surreal' return

Martin O'Neill has revealed he has '10 minutes to decide' whether he will return to Celtic following Brendan Rodgers' shock decision to resign.

The former manager returned to the Parkhead club after 20 years to take charge of the team on an interim basis while the search for Rodgers' permanent successor is underway.

He is joined by former Hoops player Shaun Maloney, with Celtic in action against Falkirk on Wednesday before an Old Firm League Cup semi-final against Rangers on Sunday.

“Nervous excitement,” the 73-year-old said when asked about his emotions. “I obviously want to do the best I can. I'm looking forward to it, I think.

“It's a position they're looking for a permanent manager for. At the moment I've been called in to do the job. Interim manager at this stage – and that's how it will stay.

“I didn't need to be told what was being asked. I received a call late afternoon and early evening from Dermot Desmond. [Celtic’s largest shareholder]. He said Brendan had resigned.

“People were surprised by that. I thought nothing would happen for anyone before the end of the season. I was asked if I was going to come and hold out until they found a permanent manager. I had 10 minutes to decide, which I did.”

'Toxic' – How Rodgers' relationship with the Celtic board deteriorated

Brendan Rodgers' broken relationship with the Celtic board has been laid bare after his surprise resignation in an extraordinary statement from major shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Rodgers has been accused of misleading fans over his contract negotiations and the club's transfer affairs, with Desmond claiming the manager's “divisive” actions “stoked hostility” towards the board and management team.

Desmond attributed Celtic's recent struggles to “an individual's desire for self-preservation”, with the Scottish champions already eight points behind league leaders Hearts after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Amid protests from fans, who called for the board to be sacked, Desmond blamed Rodgers for “contributing to a toxic atmosphere” at Celtic.

Aerial sports breaks down Desmond's astonishing statement and why the relationship deteriorated.

Celtic's next matches

• Falkirk (H) – Scottish Premiership – Wednesday
• Rangers (N) – League Cup Semi-Final – Sunday
• Midtjylland (A) – Europa League – November 6
• Kilmarnock (H) – Scottish Premiership – November 9
• St Mirren (A) – Scottish Premiership – November 22 – live on Sky Sports