Craig Bellamy in running to be new Celtic manager after latest Parkhead twist

Celtic could be on the hunt for a new manager in the summer despite Martin O’Neill’s recent return.

After Wilfried Nancy was sacked by Celtic, the former Aston Villa manager once again returned to the Hoops, signing a contract until the end of the season.

However, Football Insider has since revealed that O’Neill is not interested in taking up the Celtic job long-term.

As a result, the Hoops will soon be on the hunt for a new manager, with Craig Bellamy now emerging as a shock candidate.

Craig Bellamy now 12/1 to take over at Celtic next season

Bellamy has emerged as a promising coach since he hung up his boots.

The 46-year-old is currently the Wales manager and will be hoping to guide his nation to the 2026 World Cup when the playoffs begin in March.

Bellamy was previously linked to Celtic when Brendan Rodgers left the Hoops earlier this season.

Now, it appears that he could soon take over his former club, with the bookies now labelling him as one of the favourites to be in charge for the first game of the 2026-27 campaign.

A fascinating tactical insight from Wales boss Craig Bellamy ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TGyUOs2wVK— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 16, 2025

One bookmaker has the Wales manager as 12/1 to come in, making him the fourth favourite as it stands.

Oddschecker on 16 January have confirmed that these odds have been slashed, in another surprising twist.

Who is the current favourite to be Celtic manager next season?

As it stands, O’Neill has once again become the favourite to be in the dugout next campaign despite the reports that he will depart in the summer.

Currently, the current Hoops boss is 11/8 to keep his post, while the former favourite for the Celtic job, Roberto Martinez, has fallen to 3/1.

Shaun Maloney also remains in the running, with O’Neill’s current assistant being 8/1 to come in.

A return for Ange Postecoglou has also not been ruled out at the Hoops, almost three years after he left Celtic Park.

The Australian coach has had a turbulent time over the past year and was sacked by both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest despite winning the Europa League with the former side in May.

Now, Postecoglou is 12/1 to come back to Celtic Park alongside Bellamy.

However, it remains to be seen who will be in the Celtic dugout at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, with plenty of twists and turns still possible.

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