Martin O’Neill has made it clear that his return to Celtic is strictly non permanent, saying he’s solely “preserving 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 shortly 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 shocked when requested to return.
“I took a puff of breath and requested if this was actual,” he mentioned. “It’s tough 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 assumed perhaps I ought to do it.”
O’Neill’s first sport again in cost can be towards Falkirk at Celtic Park on Wednesday night time. He can 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 yr 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 last in 2003.
“It’s quick time period. Celtic are most likely shocked on the information Brendan left. They’re clearly in search of 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 searching for, I assume, a younger coach with confirmed skill. We need 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 quick time period till a everlasting supervisor is appointed. I’ll simply preserve the seat heat.”
O’Neill joked that he would possibly attain out to one in every of his former gamers for help, including: “I would name Henrik Larsson to ask him if he’s been staying within the gymnasium.”
Celtic at present 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 supplied an extension.
“In actuality, he was given last say over all soccer issues and was constantly backed within the recruitment course of, together with document funding in gamers he personally recognized and accredited,” 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 the direction of members of the chief workforce and the board.
“What has failed lately was not attributable to our construction or mannequin however to at least one particular person’s need for self-preservation on the expense of others.”