Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager – amid accusations from major shareholder Dermot Desmond of “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” behaviour.
He has been replaced in the interim by former boss Martin O’Neill, according to a BBC report.
The Scottish Premiership champions slipped eight points behind early pacesetters Hearts after losing meekly at Tynecastle on Sunday, having endured a hugely underwhelming European campaign and angst-ridden transfer window.
Yet for all that discontent has been in the air around Celtic Park, the news that emerged in a club statement at 21:44 GMT was stunning.
The 134-word missive announced that Rodgers had quit, thanked him for his contributions across his two spells as manager, and stated that the process to appoint a replacement was underway.
In a remarkable twist, it also noted that O’Neill – 73 years old and 20 years after his first stint ended – would take interim charge, assisted by former Celtic player Shaun Maloney, who was sacked as Wigan Athletic manager in March.
While Celtic fans were digesting that, the club published another similar staggering statement 15 minutes later – this time signed by the usually reticent Desmond.
In an astonishing letter to fans, he challenged Rodgers’ assertion that he was formally offered a contract extension, denied that signings were imposed upon the manager, and criticised his “desire for self-preservation at the expense of others”.
