Celtic Football Club is searching for a permanent manager to succeed interim boss Martin O'Neill ahead of the upcoming summer season, facing mounting competition from international and domestic clubs for top coaching candidates.
O'Neill secured a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title with a 3-1 victory over Hearts last week.
He will conclude his second stint this season after the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden.
Key Candidates and Their Futures
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond previously brought O'Neill back to steady the club following the October resignation of Brendan Rodgers and the subsequent dismissal of Wilfried Nancy after just eight games in charge.
Former Celtic player Paul Lambert expressed support for Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou before the manager secured a move to French club Toulouse.
"Special opportunities come rare in football and you don’t know when they present themselves.
So sometimes you have to leave great things behind to create new ones no matter how hard it is," said Jens Berthel Askou, Former Motherwell Manager.
Slovan Bratislava CEO Ivan Kmotrik Jr confirmed interest in Ferencvaros manager Robbie Keane, who is also linked to the Parkhead vacancy.
"Robbie Keane could also be an alternative [for manager]. We will see how his situation develops at Ferencváros.
If possible, we would like to meet him," said Ivan Kmotrik Jr, Slovan Bratislava CEO.
Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez, another prominent candidate on the shortlist, addressed his future ahead of the upcoming World Cup tournament.
"Does my continuity in the national team depend on the World Cup? I don't think so.
I've already spoken about this," said Roberto Martinez, Portugal Manager.
Martinez emphasized that his immediate attention remains entirely focused on the international stage rather than club management positions.
"The focus is on the World Cup, our dream is to get there and give everything.
After the World Cup, the decision will be what's best for the national team. If I were worried about my position, I wouldn't be the right coach.
Now is the time for Portugal, to prepare the team well and carry out the process that needs to be done," said Roberto Martinez, Portugal Manager.
Former Leicester City player Conor Coady praised Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy, who remains a wildcard candidate despite holding recent strategy meetings with club owner Vincent Tan.
"I think football is going that way a little bit — more towards coaches [than traditional managers]," said Conor Coady, Footballer.
Coady noted that the Cardiff manager possesses exceptional coaching qualities that make him highly attractive to multiple organizations.
"I think he’ll be massively sought after.
I think there are loads of clubs who would benefit from bringing him in, because I think he’s that much of a good coach, I really do," said Conor Coady, Footballer.
O'Neill himself acknowledged that formal discussions regarding the long-term managerial plans at Parkhead would take place shortly.
"Yeah, I would expect him to talk to me. I wouldn't expected him to say 'look, there's a five-year deal.
If he does... that takes me up to 93!"
said Martin O'Neill, Celtic Manager.
The club aims to complete a domestic double this weekend while the board finalizes the shortlist to replace the 74-year-old veteran coach.
