Brendan Rodgers has stepped down as Celtic manager — amid allegations from major shareholder Dermot Desmond of “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” conduct — and will be temporarily succeeded by ex-boss Martin O’Neill.
The Scottish Premiership title holders sit eight points behind early leaders Heart of Midlothian after a 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Celtic have endured a disappointing European run and a troublesome transfer window this season.
Despite the unrest, the announcement issued in a club statement at 21:44 GMT came as a huge surprise.
The 134-word release confirmed Rodgers’ resignation, thanked him for his service across two tenures, and said that the search for a successor had begun.
In a twist, it was also revealed that 73-year-old O’Neill — two decades after his initial spell — would take interim control, supported by former Celtic man Shaun Maloney, who was dismissed as Wigan Athletic manager in March.
As supporters were still processing the news, the club released another statement — this one personally signed by the usually reserved Desmond.
In a remarkable open letter to supporters, Desmond disputed Rodgers’ claim that he had not been formally offered a new contract, denied that transfers were forced upon him, and condemned his “desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.”
‘Rodgers had final say over all football matters’ — Desmond’s version of events
Rodgers, 52, began his second spell at Celtic Park in 2023, capturing consecutive titles to add to his triumphs from 2017 and 2018.
The ex-Liverpool and Leicester City manager leaves with the club trailing Hearts after nine league fixtures.
He had agreed to a three-year contract upon his return, insisting he would honour it after his controversial 2019 departure for Leicester.
Rodgers stated in August that there had been no formal extension offer.
However, Desmond has now shared his account, claiming the club were eager to retain him beyond this season to “reaffirm the club’s full backing and long-term commitment to him.”
The Irish tycoon further asserted that Rodgers’ statement that no offer existed was “simply untrue.”
Rodgers has been contacted by the BBC for a response.
This campaign has unfolded amid anti-board protests at Celtic Park, and Desmond suggested Rodgers had fuelled a “toxic atmosphere.”
Rodgers had also repeatedly referenced poor recruitment since the start of the season.
Following a 2-0 loss at Dundee on 19 October, Rodgers said: “There’s no way you’ll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari’. It’s not going to happen.”
Desmond countered with: “Every player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done so with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval, and endorsement. Any insinuation otherwise is absolutely false.
“His later public statements about transfers and club operations came entirely out of the blue. At no point prior to those remarks had he raised any such concerns.
“In reality, he was given final say over all football matters and was consistently backed in the recruitment process, including record investment in players he personally identified and approved.
“Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.
“What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.”
O’Neill returns on the day he tips Hearts for the title
O’Neill previously managed Celtic from 2000–2005, collecting three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups, and one League Cup, while also guiding them to a UEFA Cup final.
He has not managed a club since being dismissed by Nottingham Forest in June 2019.
Coincidentally, O’Neill appeared on TalkSport earlier Monday, discussing the Scottish title race — and suggesting Hearts could become the first non-Old Firm champions since 1985.
“Hearts have shown a great determination. Their record is great, at this minute,” O’Neill said. “With Celtic not being as strong as maybe you would want them to be, it is possible.
“Celtic can actually lose games now, whereas before, they looked invincible in matches. Rangers are no threat whatsoever. They are so far adrift it’s untrue.
“This is the moment — this is the time for Hearts. They have gone eight points clear. That is a decent enough lead, really. Their confidence has grown, and it will grow from that victory.”
O’Neill will be joined by Maloney, who represented Celtic in two separate spells, later joining Belgium’s coaching staff after retirement.
The Scotland international took his first managerial role at Hibernian in 2021 but lasted only four months.
He took over at Wigan Athletic in January 2023 but was dismissed in March this year, having won 42 of 115 games, before returning to Celtic in June as professional player pathway manager.