SNS GroupCeltic have added former captain Stephen McManus to Martin O’Neill’s coaching team as the club confirmed key departures and changes to the backroom staff.
Former Celtic boss O’Neill has been appointed as interim boss in the wake of Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit and returns to the dugout 20 years after leaving the Parkhead club. Shaun Maloney will act as his right-hand man and Celtic have now issued a statement outlining other arrivals and exits.
Assistant manager John Kennedy left the club in the wake of Rodgers’ resignation but Celtic have revealed that coaches Adam Sadler and Jack Lyons have also departed, with head of performance Glen Driscoll also moving on.
Goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods remains, as do Gavin Strachan and Greg Wallace, with former Huddersfield Town boss Mark Fotheringham, who was previously a Celtic player, also added to the group.
McManus, who played for the club for seven years, made over 150 appearances and won seven major trophies with Celtic, is confirmed as another addition to O’Neill’s staff.
The interim group will remain in charge of the first team while a search for a new permanent manager is conducted. Kieran McKenna is the current bookmakers’ favourite, with Robbie Keane and Ange Postecoglou also reportedly in the frame.
Celtic face Falkirk at home in the Premiership on Wednesday evening, and the team face an Old Firm clash with Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals on Sunday before taking on Midtjylland in Denmark next Thursday.
A club statement read: “Celtic Football Club can confirm today that Assistant Manager John Kennedy, coaches Adam Sadler and Jack Lyons, and Head of Performance Glen Driscoll have left the Club with immediate effect.
“We thank each of them for their contribution to Celtic and we wish them all well for the future.
“We are pleased to welcome former Celtic captain Stephen McManus and former Celtic player Mark Fotheringham into our first team coaching set-up, where they will join Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney on an interim basis, alongside coaches Stephen Woods, Gavin Strachan and Greg Wallace.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
