Seven next Celtic manager candidates as two former bosses and Man Utd hero could arrive on Hoops radar

Celtic are seeking a new manager after Wilfried Nancy’s departure as head coach.

The former Columbus Crew boss has exited his role after just a month and eight games, six of which have ended in defeats. He arrived at Parkhead after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation and Martin O’Neill’s interim management period, and leaves with the Hoops six points off leaders Hearts.

It could leave the club on their fourth manager this season, s who will be the next man to lead the Hoops forward? From bosses previously of Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to familiar faces, here are some of the runners and riders we’ve selected for the Parkhead position.

Martin O’Neill

Expect to hear his name lots and lots. Won every game bar one - away at Midtjylland - in his interim reign and brought Celtic right back into the title race when all seemed lost. Didn’t hide away from wanting to stay until the end of the season either as Nancy swept into the club.

He said: “I'd happily have stayed on. If they had asked me to stay on, I would've done so, but the minute that they said, 'no, that's your time', that's fine by me. I stepped into the job, [major shareholder] Dermot [Desmond] had said to me, he said, 'you could be in it two weeks or two months, we're looking for someone.’

"When you get into it, you really enjoy it. You enjoy winning, that's the point - this is what it's about. You've got to give managers chances. I think back to my own time at Leicester City, where I eventually enjoyed nice success. Can't win a game to save my life, crowd baying for blood and after 10 games. How lucky I was to win a couple of matches of real importance at a stage.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Was rumoured to be in the Rangers reckoning when they were looking to replace Russell Martin. A hero at Manchester United as a player and some have looked back fondly on his managerial spell there, which while it didn’t hit the heights of his playing days, has shown up ok against other gaffers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Last at Besiktas in Turkey.

Kieran McKenna

One of Solskjaer’s coaches while at Manchester United, the Irishman has won plaudits aplenty for work at Ipswich Town. Got them into the Premier League and while they were relegated, he still held plenty of credit in the bank, and they’re right in the mix for promotion out of the Championship.

McKenna said of previous links to Celtic: "I've not had any of those conversations or anything of the like. My focus has been purely here. I work here as if I'm going to be here forever, I have done since the first day I was here. I will try to do everything for the long-term good of the football club. I work as if I'm always going to be Ipswich manager. I know in reality I won't be, for whatever reason."

Jens Berthel Askou

The Motherwell manager has been the talk of Scottish football this season for his eye-catching, possession-based brand of football, that has the Steelmen just two points off both sides of the Old Firm. Has clearly improved the players already at Fir Park and transfer work is impressive but whether he’d leave after half a season is a big question.

Robbie Keane

Ferencvaros boss had a spell at Celtic as a player and early work in management has come with some acclaim, having also managed Maccabi Tel Aviv. Defeated Rangers in the Europa League this season and side are a point off the top of the Hungarian top flight.

Ange Postecoglou

Fans loved the former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss’ high octane style first time around and it brought five domestic trophies from six. Adored by the punters and his return would be popular but unclear if he’s ready for a management return after a calamitous spell with Nottingham Forest, having won the Europa League at Spurs.

Kjetil Knutsen

A name that always crops up with the Celtic job. Bodo Glimt boss has worked wonders in Norway and has turned his team into a Champions League-competing side used to winning trophies. Has built a club from the ground up which with Paul Tisdale leaving as head of football operations, would suit Celtic, who need a full scale reboot.