Celtic want a former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager to take over as the first-team boss at the end of the season, should Ange Postecoglou refuse to return to Celtic Park and replace Martin O’Neill, according to a report.
O’Neill was appointed as the Celtic manager for the rest of the season at the start of January following the departure of Wilfried Nancy. The 73-year-old was initially appointed in the role in late October following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, before making way for Nancy in early December.
Ange Postecoglou would be a dream managerial appointment for Celtic, with the 60-year-old having had huge success during his time at Celtic Park.
The former Australia international defender was the manager of Celtic for two years between 2021 and 2023, and won the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish League Cup twice each and the Scottish Cup once.
TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reported back on October 29, 2025, that Celtic had approached Postecoglou over returning to the club to replace Rodgers following his dismissal as the Nottingham Forest manager.
Sports Boom has now reported that Celtic’s interest in Postecoglou is still intact, but the Glasgow giants have also placed Jose Mourinho on their wishlist.
The report has described the Benfica manager as ‘a shock candidate’ for Celtic, claiming that ‘if Postecoglou decides against rejoining’ the Hoops, then Mourinho would be the one for the club’s chiefs.
Celtic reportedly believe that the club’s ‘stature and global following’ and regular appearance in European competitions would be ‘appealing’ to the former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager.
‘The opportunity to resurrect’ Celtic would appeal so much to Mourinho that the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager would ‘lower his salary demands’ to take charge of the first team, according to the report.