Celtic are not on course to welcome Ange Postecoglou back to Parkhead as those close to the Greek-Australian tactician have played down the prospect of him returning to the reigning Scottish Premiership champions for a second spell at the helm, GMS sources have revealed.
Having fallen eight points adrift in the title race thanks to suffering a defeat to table-topping Hearts last weekend, Brendan Rodgers resigned from his position on Monday. That has resulted in the Bhoys' hierarchy searching for his successor despite handing Martin O'Neill the reins on an interim basis.
Postecoglou Not On Course to Make Parkhead Return
Sources close to Postecoglou have downplayed the possibility of him heading back to Celtic following Rodgers' departure, despite him currently being on the market due to his sacking at Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Although the 60-year-old was pinpointed by Tricky Trees owner Evangelos Marinakis as the preferred candidate to replace the departed Nuno Espirito Santo, his reign at the City Ground lasted just 39 days as he was relieved of his duties in the aftermath of suffering a defeat to Chelsea and failing to win any of his matches in charge.
GMS sources have been informed that Postecoglou is not on course to jump straight back into management at Celtic, even though he has a strong connection with the fanbase and key decision-makers behind the scenes, meaning influential figures at Parkhead will have to turn their attention elsewhere.
Key Statistic: Ange Postecoglou guided Celtic to 83 wins over the course of 113 matches when he was initially in charge between 2021 and 2023
The Athens-born boss enjoyed a trophy-laden first stint with the Bhoys, thanks to guiding them to back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles as well as two Scottish League Cup triumphs and the Scottish Cup on one occasion before he opted to take on the challenge of managing Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.
Postecoglou guided the north Londoners to Europa League glory last term, thanks to overcoming domestic counterparts Manchester United in the final, but he was still sacked a matter of weeks after adding to the trophy cabinet as Spurs finished just one place above the Premier League's relegation zone.
Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, who heavily criticised Rodgers in a club statement released after the Northern Irishman tendered his resignation, is seeking a new permanent manager despite O'Neill agreeing to return to Parkhead as the interim boss alongside Shaun Maloney.