Mark van Bommel delay could see Martin O’Neill extending Celtic stay | OneFootball

Celtic’s search for a long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers has taken another intriguing twist, with reports in the Netherlands claiming that Mark van Bommel has turned down an approach…

Mark van Bommel, Head Coach of Royal Antwerp, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 07, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

According to De Telegraaf Mark van Bommel, the former Dutch international was offered the chance to replace Rodgers but opted to reject Celtic’s advances for family reasons. Van Bommel is said to be focused on supporting his son Ruben, a PSV Eindhoven winger currently sidelined after cruciate ligament surgery.

Van Bommel’s agent, José Fortes Rodriguez, confirmed the interest but would not elaborate, telling De Telegraaf only “That’s right,” when asked whether the ex-Royal Antwerp boss, who oversaw the Belgian club’s first title win in 66 years, had received offers from Celtic and several Middle Eastern clubs. The 2010 World Cup finalist reportedly turned down four opportunities to return to management, including lucrative proposals from abroad.

Mark van Bommel of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Beckenbauer Cup 2025 at SAP Garden on March 17, 2025 in Munich, Germany. As part of the club’s 125th anniversary, FC Bayern will host a unique legends tournament on 17 March 2025 in honour of its late honorary president Franz Beckenbauer (1945 – 2024). (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona midfielder enjoyed a successful stint at Antwerp, guiding the Belgian side to a league and cup double in 2023, and remains highly regarded across Europe. It seems the Dutchman has not ruled out a return to the dugout next season, with a preference to remain in Europe. Should Celtic’s position still be open come summer 2026, Van Bommel could perhaps emerge as a leading contender once again.

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

In the meantime, Celtic have turned to familiar faces to steady the ship, Martin O’Neill, alongside assistant Shaun Maloney, and the pair have immediately lifted the mood around the club.

O’Neill’s return began with a convincing 4-0 win over Falkirk at Celtic Park, followed by a 3-1 triumph over theRangers to book a place in the Scottish League Cup final. It’s been a revitalising start, the kind that sparks discussion over whether the interim pairing might remain in charge beyond the short term.

Celtic’s hierarchy have previously maintained that mid-season managerial appointments rarely produce ideal candidates. The last time the club faced a similar scenario was when Neil Lennon departed and John Kennedy stepped in until season’s end, a decision later justified as pragmatic, given the apparent scarcity of available top-level managers in the middle of a campaign.

Celtic v St Johnstone – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic manager John Kennedy on the bench during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday May 12, 2021. Photo Andrew Milligan

That logic may apply again. The managerial market typically opens up in May and June, when contracts expire and clubs reshuffle. Moving too quickly now could restrict Celtic to candidates who are either underwhelming or costly to remove from their current contracts.

Keeping O’Neill and Maloney at the helm until the summer could also offer some much-needed stability. The pair appear to have struck a healthy balance, O’Neill providing statesmanlike authority and man-management experience, Maloney handling tactical structure and in-game adjustments. Supporters saw yesterday just how animated Maloney was during the win over theRangers, directing play from the touchline and in the middle of the players prior to extra-time.

Martin O’Neill. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

This combination has already brought immediate results and restored a wee bit of belief among players and fans alike. If that momentum continues, there’s a compelling argument for allowing the current setup to see out the season, giving Celtic breathing space to identify, and secure, the right long-term manager rather than a merely available one.

Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, acknowledges the fans after the team’s victory in the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Interestingly, a Roma supporter, commenting on O’Neill’s appointment on Celtic’s YouTube channel, after O’Neill’s first post-match press conference, following the win over Falkirk, compared O’Neill’s interim appointment to Claudio Ranieri’s temporary spell with the Italian club last season.

Ranieri was meant to steady the ship, but his impact was so positive on the dressing room and the performances, that Roma kept him on until season’s end, allowing time for a measured succession plan that eventually saw Gasperini take the job after his contract with Atalanta ended. Ranieri even helped in the search and the integration. Celtic may find themselves in a similar position if O’Neill’s influence continues to bear fruit.

Martin O’Neill with Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Mark van Bommel may actually be the standout name linked so far, but the timing is clearly off. His decision to focus on family is understandable, but it could align neatly with Celtic’s need to bide their time.

For now, O’Neill and Maloney are steering things and we’re already seeing renewed energy and togetherness after a tough time for the players.

If that continues, Celtic might already have the perfect interim solution while the bigger managerial picture settles. And perhaps by the summer, when Van Bommel is ready to return, both sides could find the timing mutually agreeable.

Niall J

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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