Postecoglou’s Celtic return stance revealed amid fresh shake-up in O’Neill replacement plan

Ange Postecoglou has reportedly cooled any immediate plans to jump back into management following a difficult spell at Nottingham Forest, despite being linked with a return to Celtic.

The Australian coach is considered one of the early contenders to take over when Martin O’Neill’s deal expires this summer.

Insight into Postecoglou’s situation has come from those close to him, suggesting he is taking time to reflect on his next move after a turbulent period. His time at Forest proved short-lived, with the club dismissing him after only eight matches as they battled Premier League relegation. Results have failed to significantly improve since, even under successor Sean Dyche.

Postecoglou’s reputation in European football remains strong, largely thanks to his success at Celtic after arriving in 2021. He departed Parkhead for Tottenham following two trophy-laden seasons, including a Treble in his final year in Glasgow.

In England, he guided Spurs to a fifth-place league finish in his first season and later secured Europa League glory, ending the club’s long wait for silverware. However, inconsistent domestic form eventually led to his exit last summer.

The Forest setback marked his second managerial dismissal within a short span, prompting him to step back and assess his future.

Former colleague Nick Montgomery, who worked alongside him, indicated the manager is simply taking a break before deciding on his next challenge, while also highlighting the growing trend of British coaches exploring opportunities abroad.

Meanwhile, O’Neill has publicly stated he does not intend to continue in the Celtic role beyond the current campaign. That has opened the door for speculation over potential successors. Club legend Frank McAvennie has even floated an alternative name, backing Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou.

Speaking on his podcast, McAvennie praised Askou’s style of play and suggested he could elevate Celtic further if given the opportunity, describing him as someone capable of taking the club to a “next level.”