Roberto Martinez is among the early contenders for the permanent Celtic job.
The Spaniard’s contract with the Portuguese national team expires after this summer’s World Cup, and some are tipping him to pick Celtic as his first club job in a decade.
An FA Cup winner with Wigan, Martinez took Everton into Europe in his first season, but was sacked after an 11th-placed finish in his third campaign.
Since then, he has exclusively managed in international football, spending six years at the helm of Belgium before taking over Portugal in 2023.
Ex-Celtic defender Alan Stubbs knows Martinez well from his spell at Goodison, and he has serious doubts over his suitability for Celtic.
I want the next manager of Celtic to be…
Alan Stubbs on Roberto Martinez for Celtic
Stubbs spent five years at Celtic before moving to boyhood heroes Everton in 2001.
He ended up having two spells at the Toffees, mostly playing under David Moyes, who remained in post at the club until vacating the hotseat for Martinez in 2013.
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Speaking to the Daily Record about the Spaniard, Martinez had some pretty damning words of caution for Celtic.
HE SAID: “Roberto Martinez had one good season at Everton, where a lot of the fans will say the football was fantastic… I think it was the overlap of when David Moyes left.
“He had the defensive stability of a David Moyes team and he then added to that with the offensive side, and Everton were really good to watch that season.
“I think if you would have asked Everton fans about Roberto Martinez after that season it would be very mixed.
“A lot of the football was a bit side to side, backwards, slow, monotonous – and I think a lot of Celtic fans will say ‘that was the case with Brendan Rodgers at times’, even though he has been so successful.
“It would be a great move for Roberto, I just don’t know if it would work out the way Celtic fans would want.
“I would certainly be cautious. Even though Roberto Martinez has had big jobs… he has not been very successful in them.
“You look at Belgium, probably the best group of players in the world at that time, the favourites to win World Cup and European Championships, he didn’t get over the line.
“Prior to winning the Nations League with Portugal there was talk of him getting the sack, and everyone is asking if that kept him in the job. And now he is leaving after the World Cup in the summer.
“I am not one to say 100 per cent to say, yeah fantastic. I think hold on and see what is available [in the summer]”.
Would you take Roberto Martinez as Celtic’s permanent manager after the World Cup?
Contenders to be Celtic’s next permanent manager
O’Neill is yet to fully rule out staying at Celtic beyond this season, but so far, he has indicated that he would not want to take the job permanently.
If that remains his stance, then Jens Berthel Askou would certainly be among the favourites. His style of football and Scottish pedigree tick a lot of boxes.
If the Parkhead hierarchy want someone more familiar with Celtic, then Robbie Keane is another strong candidate – though his spell in Israel has drawn criticism from the Parkhead faithful.
Craig Bellamy is another international boss who would be a contender, though he could also be involved in this summer’s tournament in North America, if Wales are successful in their play-offs next month.
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