O'Rourke: Celtic have to promise they'll back manager who'll be 'big statement' if hired
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(Credit: Getty, Imago) Celtic board promises needed to bag Roberto Martinez hire revealed: ‘Big statement’ Sun 19 April 2026 8:15, UK Celtic will have to offer Roberto Martinez a sizeable contract to make him their new manager if he wishes to return to club management after the World Cup. Martinez has been linked with becoming the Hoops’ next boss over the last few months as Martin O’Neill prepares to leave his role at the end of the campaign.He is currently set to lead Portugal into the World Cup in North America this summer, however, and will only leave his position after the tournament ends.As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Celtic will have to offer a generous deal to Martinez to tempt him to Parkhead, with several other clubs also likely to be interested in his services.His contract with the Portuguese FA is set to end after the World Cup, and he could become Celtic’s new manager if they offer strong enough terms. 👔 Celtic Manager News 👔 Get the inside track on the Parkhead dugout with real-time updates on shortlisted candidates, live betting market shifts, and key boardroom decisions.
VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Celtic must splash the cash to land Roberto Martinez appointmentMartinez led Portugal to a Nations League triumph last year, and took Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, but last managed at club level over 10 years ago.The 52-year-old’s availability after this tournament could see several clubs register an interest in his services, and Celtic will also have to agree to let him spend big to entice him to Glasgow if he is their top target for the vacant role.Team (Tenure)Games managedWinsDrawsLossesWin percentageSwansea City (2007-2009)12563372550.4%Wigan Athletic (2009-2013)17551477729.14%Everton (2013-2016)14361394342.66%Martinez’s managerial record at club levelSpeaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “He’s obviously got links with Scotland and Celtic. “Look, getting somebody like Martinez would be a big statement by Celtic, but they’re going to have to show real ambition to lure him back into club management.
“They’re going to have to really back him, and (invest) financially if they are to get him, because I think there’ll be a number of clubs who would be showing interest in Martinez if he wants to return to club management. “He’s a top manager who has managed some big clubs and also some big countries as well.”Who are the other contenders to be Celtic’s next manager?Celtic’s chiefs are letting O’Neill and Maloney get on with their jobs before moving forward with their search for a new permanent boss.Martinez is currently priced at around 4/1 odds to be the Hoops’ next boss by one of the UK’s biggest bookmakers, with Maloney at around 16/1.Sources have exclusively told Football Insider that Robbie Keane is well-placed to be the next Celtic manager as he impresses in charge of Ferencvaros.He is the bookies’ current favourite to be in place at Parkhead next term, at 9/4 odds, with other contenders including Jens Berthel Askou, Craig Bellamy and Bruno Lage.