Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill sheds light on his five-year absence from management

Martin O’Neill is one of several legendary managers Celtic have had during their illustrious History and he is still regarded as an icon in Glasgow.

The 72-year-old delivered seven trophies at Parkhead alongside famously leading the Hoops to the UEFA Cup final in 2003.

Due to his exploits, O’Neill is regarded as one of the most influential figures in recent memory at Parkhead. He laid the foundations for the club to dominate Scottish football in the 21st century.

Despite his last role in the dugout coming at Nottingham Forest circa 2019, there were rumours he could take over at Rapid Bucharest this year before Neil Lennon was appointed to lead the Romanian outfit.

Truthfully, O’Neill has now opened up on the different trends he has noticed in managerial appointments that have affected his own job prospects.

Martin O’Neill on his five-year managerial absence

Speaking to BBC Sport, O’Neill has hit out at ageism in the process of managerial appointments and indicated he isn’t a fan of the head coach model adopted by many clubs in the modern day.

He also delved into his relationship with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond, stating: “In European football, with very few exceptions, it’s coaches now. You’re a head coach rather than a manager. So the days of Sir Alex Ferguson running the club, or myself running at Celtic, I think those days for the younger coach have gone.

“I remember Dermot Desmond, who is the major shareholder of Celtic, said he wanted me to take ownership of the Football club. We didn’t even know each other. So those things have changed in the Game. Like anything else, it doesn’t matter; people take age into consideration.

“It’s as if you are a certain age, then you’re some sort of Luddite that can’t bend to change. The Game has changed, there’s no question about it, but it’s an insult to take people with experience on and say they no longer can learn the Game. That’s the problem, really, in society.”

O’Neill is someone who commands respect, and when he says something, he usually has a valid reason for putting it into circulation.

He does have a point; there are many experienced managers who are overlooked for roles in favour of inexperience for whatever reason.

At Celtic, Brendan Rodgers is living proof that the more traditional approach is best. The Irishman was a tried and tested appointment that came back to yield a domestic double.

Hopefully, the Bhoys can continue to dominate in Scotland, something that would never have been possible if it weren’t for O’Neill’s telling influence.