Former Celtic manager Ronny Deila on shortlist for Tunisia national side job

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The Celtic Star

·21 Januari 2026

Former Celtic manager Ronny Deila on shortlist for Tunisia national side job

Ronny Deila is reportedly being considered for the vacant head coach position with the Tunisia national side, opening the door to a swift return to the dugout for the former Celtic boss…

The 50-year-old has been without a club since parting ways with Atlanta United in October, bringing to an end a difficult 12-month spell that coincided with the MLS outfit’s poorest campaign on record.

Despite that setback, Deila could soon be back in a job, with talks said to be underway regarding a potential international appointment.

Video OneFootball

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, initial discussions have taken place between Deila and officials from the Tunisian Football Federation as they search for a successor to Sami Trabelsi, who was dismissed following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations showing which many Celtic supporters would have watched through their VPN USA due to the Celtic interest with a Celtic player in the Tunisian team.

Ronny Deila (left) Celtic manager with John Collins his assistant and the trophys at the Scottish Premiership Match between Celtic and Inverness Caley Thistle at Celtic Park on May 24, 2015. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)

Deila faces competition for the role, with Franck Haise, Olivier Dall’Oglio, Eric Chelle, Walter Mazzarri and Sabri Lamouchi also linked, while Nassreddine Nabi has already declined an offer.

🚨➕ More on Tunisia head coach search: several candidates are on the shortlist with contacts already ongoing, including Franck Haise, Olivier Dall’Oglio, Ronny Deila, Eric Chelle, Walter Mazzarri and Sabri Lamouchi. 🇹🇳 Financial terms will be key in reaching an agreement.
– Rabu, 14 Januari 2026

Should an agreement be reached, it would mark Deila’s first experience in international management, having previously coached exclusively at club level across Norway, Scotland, Belgium and the United States.

The role would also see him working with Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti, who joined the Scottish champions from Hammarby last summer and has already earned five senior caps for Tunisia.

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Notably, one of Tounekti’s new coaches at international level could be Kenny Miller. The former Celtic and Ibrox club striker is now Delia’s no.2.

Kenny Miller of Celtic celebrates after scoring against Rangers during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on September 23, 2006 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

In other news, Celtic edged back into second place in the Scottish Premiership table last night thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Falkirk, with Benjamin Nygren’s header proving decisive.

The result ensured the Scottish champions remained within six points of leaders Hearts, who claimed a hard-fought 2-0 win against St Mirren despite being reduced to ten men 15 minutes into the game.

Benjamin Nygren celebrates. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

However, the performance by Martin O’Neill’s men left plenty to be desired, with John McGlynn’s Falkirk outfit creating enough chances to feel aggrieved at leaving empty-handed. The lack of fluency in Celtic’s play underlined the growing sense that reinforcements are urgently required.

Focus now shifts firmly to the January transfer market as supporters look for fresh faces to strengthen the squad in the chase of Derek McInnes’ side.

Securing a new centre-forward is understood to be the priority, but we are now 15 days into the window. Why Celtic have not signed a striker defies logic. Things must accelerate as soon as possible.

Conor Spence

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