Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic boss just days after a devastating 3-1 defeat to table-toppers Hearts, a club statement has confirmed.
Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and ex-player Shaun Maloney will take charge of the squad in the interim.
The official statement read: "Celtic Football Club can confirm that football manager Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation. It has been accepted by the Club and Brendan will leave his role with immediate effect.
"The Club appreciates Brendan’s contribution to Celtic during his two very successful periods at the Club.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
"Brendan leaves Celtic with our thanks for the role he has played during a period of continued success for the Club and we wish him further success in the future.
"The process to appoint a new permanent manager is underway and the Club will update supporters further on this as soon as possible.
Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic boss just days after a devastating 3-1 defeat to table-toppers Hearts, a club statement has confirmed
|REUTERS
"We are pleased that during this interim period, former Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, and former Celtic player, Shaun Maloney, have agreed to take charge of Celtic first-team matters. Further details will be confirmed shortly."
The Northern Irishman leaves the Hoops eight points away from Hearts, who currently lead the pack, amid a difficult season for the club.
Just yesterday, after a crushing defeat against the Jam Tarts, Rodgers admitted: "I’ve never worked harder in all my time here, so the motivation is there to try and flip the levels that we’re at."
Celtic are eight points behind Hearts after the Jam Tarts recorded an impressive 3-1 victory against the Hoops this weekend
| PAThe 52-year-old continued by claiming the situation was "absolutely fine" and the season was "still so early". He resigned merely 24 hours later.
Rodgers had joined Celtic for his second spell at the helm in 2023, taking over from the departing Ange Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham Hotspur.
Over the last two years, he has achieved consecutive league titles to continue the Hoops' dominance.
Brendan Rodgers won four Scottish Premierships during his two stints in charge
|PA
However, the former Leicester boss has shot multiple digs at the board in recent weeks due to the lack of transfer activity.
The club spent just £13million this summer, leaving gaping holes in their squad that has left Rodgers crying out for help in interviews.
The 52-year-old even recently compared his squad to a "Honda Civic" that he was being asked to "drive like a Ferrari".
The dispute ultimately led to Rodgers handing in his resignation at the club, despite vowing to see out his three-year contract at the club. It ends a five-year partnership between the Northern Irishman and Celtic, including his three-year stint between 2016 and 2019.
The former Liverpool boss enjoyed two trophy-laden spells in Scotland, boasting four league titles, four Scottish League Cup triumphs and three Scottish Cups.
Rodgers will be replaced in the interim period by another Northern Irish former boss in O'Neill.
The 73-year-old managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, winning three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup.
O'Neill spent a large chunk of his career managing in the Premier League, taking charge of Aston Villa and Sunderland. He also had a brief spell as Nottingham Forest boss in the Championship.
He will be joined by Shaun Maloney, who had two spells as a player with Celtic.
He also has management experience with Hibernian and Wigan.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter