Revealed: The two ‘leading candidates’ to be the next Celtic manager as shortlist narrows
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou are currently the “leading candidates” to become Celtic’s next permanent manager, sources have told Football Insider.
The duo are currently the two clear frontrunners in the eyes of the hierarchy at Parkhead, despite the likes of Graham Potter and Robbie Keane also being heavily linked with the job of late.
Celtic will not make their next permanent appointment until the end of the season, but the board have already identified their preferred options well before the end of the campaign.
Martinez is set to lead Portugal into this summer’s World Cup in North America, while Berthel Askou still has his Motherwell side in with an outside chance of winning the Scottish Premiership title.
Roberto Martinez and Jens Berthel Askou offer different options
Football Insider revealed back in January that Martinez was the frontrunner to take the reins at Celtic Park, but Berthel Askou has since risen back into serious contention.
The Motherwell chief has significantly less experience than his current competitor for the role, but he does have the added bonus of already knowing what it takes to achieve success in Scottish football.
His Well side have been one of the stories of the season so far, and although the league title looks a long shot given their 10-point deficit to Hearts at the moment, his team’s exploits have not gone unnoticed.
| Martinez | Berthel Askou |
| Swansea City (2007-09) | Vendsyssel FF (2018-19) |
| Wigan Athletic (2009-13) | HB Torshavn (2019-21) |
| Everton (2013-16) | AC Horsens (2021-23) |
| Belgium (2016-22) | IFK Goteborg (2023-24) |
| Portugal (2023-) | Motherwell (2025-) |
On the other hand, Martinez is vastly experienced across both club and international football, and while he has not yet had a taste of the Scottish game, he is something of a veteran of the Premier League.
His contract with the Portuguese FA is due to expire after the upcoming tournament, leaving Celtic with genuine hope that this could be the right time to tempt him back into day-to-day management.
He and Berthel Askou offer totally different profiles as bosses, and it is now up to the Celtic board to decide which one they prefer long-term.
- Read More: Sources: Shaun Maloney to play key role in Celtic appointing 52-year-old as their next manager
Shaun Maloney holds the key to Martinez appointment at Celtic
Football Insider recently revealed that Shaun Maloney may hold the key to Celtic convincing Martinez to join after this summer’s World Cup, given the existing relationship between the pair.
Martin O’Neill’s assistant manager played under the Spaniard during their time together at Wigan Athletic, and has since worked as part of his coaching staff when he was in charge of Belgium.
Maloney has been back at Celtic Park since last summer and initially occupied a role within the academy setup, but he could now be about to play a huge role in the next senior appointment.
It is expected that his strong understanding with Martinez will have been one of the decisive factors if he ultimately steps into the dugout in Glasgow next season.