Celtic Handed Major Martin O’Neill Decision After Brutal Defeat Run: Should They Separate Him From The Sporting Department?

Celtic Handed Major Martin O’Neill Decision After Brutal Defeat Run: Should They Separate Him From The Sporting Department? Celtic face a major decision during the international break after Martin O’Neill suffered three straight defeats in a painful eight-day spell. The 74-year-old manager has admitted he will reflect on his future after the latest setback, a 1-0 home loss to Rangers that ended his side’s perfect Scottish Premiership start. The sequence began with a 3-0 League Cup defeat at Ibrox, before Ferencvaros won 3-1 at Parkhead in the Europa League. Rangers then returned to Celtic Park and secured another victory through Ryan Naderi’s first-half goal. The result left the Hoops two points clear at the top of the league, yet the mood around the club has changed sharply. O’Neill returned permanently in June after guiding Celtic to the Premiership and Scottish Cup double. The club gave him a one-year contract with an option for another year, while chief executive Michael Nicholson has publicly backed the veteran boss. Nicholson said the club would support O’Neill after what he called a painful week. The debate has now moved beyond whether O’Neill should remain on the touchline. Speaking on talkSPORT, former Celtic player Mark McGhee suggested that the experienced manager could move into a director of football role and help mentor a younger coach. Simon Jordan rejected that proposal, arguing that such a position could become tokenism unless O’Neill received structural authority. Jordan instead suggested using O’Neill in recruitment to help identify his successor. “I think at the end of last season, Martin should have went upstairs and should have become the director of football, and he could have mentored in a new, young manager with energy to take the club forward.” The former Crystal Palace owner questioned whether a modern director of football position would suit O’Neill’s background, particularly given the recruitment and scouting demands often attached to such a job. “I don’t think he is, I don’t think Martin is in that space. So, I think what you are talking about is tokenism. Martin doesn’t want tokenism.” Jordan did, however, see another way O’Neill could remain involved if Celtic eventually have to identify a new manager. “What Martin could be involved in is a recruitment process that brings in a successor.” Jordan was also asked whether moving O’Neill into a senior position at Celtic could help improve the relationship between the club and supporters. He rejected that idea and argued such an arrangement could instead leave O’Neill taking criticism for decisions he may not control. “It would make Martin the whipping boy.” Should Celtic separate Martin O’Neill from the sporting department? GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks on during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Glasgow Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) In my view, Celtic should accept a clean break if O’Neill decides that his time in the dugout has ended. The club should avoid creating a senior recruitment post simply because the Northern Irishman has an enormous history at Parkhead. That arrangement could blur responsibilities if a younger head coach expects full control over tactics, training and squad management. Jordan’s point about authority matters here. A director of football role needs clear responsibility, decision-making rights and accountability. If Celtic placed O’Neill upstairs without control over the structure, the arrangement could leave him exposed whenever recruitment or coaching decisions failed. McGhee’s mentoring idea has merit because O’Neill has experience and knows the demands of Celtic. However, mentorship does not require an operational position. Celtic could preserve that knowledge through advisory work, while keeping sporting decisions with the incoming structure. A modern rebuild should start with clear authority. The next head coach needs freedom to establish a tactical identity, improve the squad and set standards without an iconic predecessor sitting above the operation. Celtic have already endured a Champions League play-off collapse against LASK after holding a 4-0 aggregate lead, followed by three defeats in eight days. Those results point towards sharper recruitment and clearer coaching ideas. O’Neill’s legacy should remain separate from the next phase. He has delivered nine major honours, including the recent domestic double, and that record deserves respect. Still, sentiment should not decide the football department’s structure. If the 74-year-old chooses to leave, the club should thank him properly and respectfully, then appoint a younger coach with a clear mandate at Celtic.