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Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Monday, 5 January 2026
MARTIN O'NEAL RETURNS TO CELTIC AGAIN POST WILFRIED NANCY SACKING AS IRISHMAN 'HONOURED'
The Irishman handed over the reins at Parkhead to Nancy just last month after his interim spell
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| Martin O'Neill(Image: SNS Group) |
Legend Martin O'Neill has made another sensational return to Celtic – after being named manager until the end of the season following Wilfried Nancy's sacking.
On another dramatic day in Glasgow’s East End, Irishman O’Neill is back in charge of the Scottish champions – just 33 days after departing to allow Nancy to take over.
Celtic are enduring a chaotic campaign with Nancy's tenure brought to a dramatic and sudden end after just eight games in charge. He suffered nightmare defeats to table-topping Hearts, St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final and Rangers on Sunday as he managed just two wins in his tumultuous tenure.
When O'Neill left the club after his interim tenure back in the Celtic dugout in early December, the club were level on points with the Jambos while boasting a game in hand. Now, they trail Derek McInnes' men by six points and have allowed the Light Blues to move level on points with the Hoops in second.
But Parkhead icon O’Neill has now quickly been brought back for a third time just hours after the Frenchman was shown the door. The Irishman will be supported by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham as assistants, as well as Stephen McManus, who will join existing coaches, Gavin Strachan, Stevie Woods and Greg Wallace.
The returning gaffer said: “I am really pleased, in fact, very honoured to be asked back to manage the team again and I am looking forward to getting back to work again with the players.
“I know we would all have hoped for things to have worked out differently under Wilfried and I personally want to wish him good luck with everything he does in the game.
"He is a fine man and I am sure he will go on and achieve success again, I have no doubt of that.
“For me, I've been asked to take this great job on again and my focus will be to try and get us back to winning ways if we can. We will need everyone right behind us.
“We still have a lot to look forward to and a lot to try and achieve, and myself, Shaun and the coaching staff and, of course, the players will be giving everything to achieve all the success we can for the club.”
- Mark Pirie
WILFRED NANCY SACKED AS CELTIC MANAGER AFTER OLD FARM DEFEAT
Celtic announced Nancy's departure after only eight games in charge on Monday afternoon.
Wilfried Nancy has been sacked as Celtic manager following a 3-1 defeat to Rangers.
Nancy was appointed as Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor from MLS side Columbus Crew on December 3, after the 52-year-old tendered his resignation in October.
The Frenchman took over after club legend Martin O’Neill had won seven out of eight matches as interim manager.
However, following a 3-1 defeat by Old Firm rivals Rangers at Celtic Park on Saturday, Celtic announced Nancy had been removed from his role on Monday after only eight games in charge.
In the statement, the club also confirmed that Paul Tisdale has left his role as head of football operations.
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| Paul Tisdale has also left his role as Head of Football Operations at Celtic. |
The defending Premiership champions announced the exits in a statement on the club’s website, where they said: “Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect.
“The Club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.
“Wilfried’s assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes.
“The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as head of football operations. We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role.
“A further update will be provided to supporters as soon as is practical.”
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| Celtic fans protested outside Parkhead following Saturday’s defeat to Rangers. |
Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose his first two games in charge, losing 2-1 to league leaders Hearts before a comprehensive defeat to Roma at Celtic Park in the Europa League.
He lost out on a chance to win some early silverware after suffering a 3-1 defeat by St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final.
A 2-1 defeat at Dundee United handed him the unwanted title of the worst start by any Celtic manager in history.
Nancy got his first win with a 3-1 home victory over ten-man Aberdeen, with two goals coming in the final minutes, and followed that with a 4-2 win at Livingston in a game where the hosts were two goals ahead in the first ten minutes.
The upturn in form wasn’t to last, as Celtic crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Motherwell where the champions were completely outplayed.
On Saturday, Rangers bounced back from a goal down to defeat Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead to inflict Nancy’s final defeat as Celtic manager, with his departure announced only two days later.
- Calum Loudon
DARREN FLETCHER IS UNITED'S INTERIM MANAGER
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆:
Darren Fletcher appointed as Manchester United’s interim manager
The former United midfielder takes charge with immediate effect, replacing Rúben Amorim, who has been sacked by the club.
SOUTH KOREA SOLDIER SETS NEW PULL-UP WORLD RECORD
While most of us are gassed after 3 sets of 10, Oh Yohan was averaging 8 pull-ups every minute on the minute for nearly a full day to break the record.
The South Korean soldier’s incredible feat was officially recognised by Guinness World Records last month. Head to the link in comments for how he did it.
- Men's Health UK
RBREAKING NEWS: RUBEN AMORIM SACKED BY MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, a number of sources have confirmed, with his spiky comments after the Leeds game proving the breaking point.
Darren Fletcher is expected to take over an interim basis.
WHY IS NOVAK DJOKOVIC LEAVING THE PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYERS ASSOCIATION, THE ADVOCACY GROUP HE CO-FOUNDED?
The Professional Tennis Players Association was co-founded by Novak Djokovic but he is now leaving it. We explain why Djokovic has decided to part ways with PTPA.
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| Novak Djokovic had co-founded the PTPA player union in 2020 alongside Vasek Pospisil. Image: Reuters |
Novak Djokovic has decided to “step away completely from” the Professional Tennis Players Association, an advocacy group that he co-founded, due to concerns over transparency and governance within the organisation. The tennis star announced the decision on X on Sunday.
Djokovic launched the PTPA in 2020 alongside Vasek Pospisil. The main aim of the Professional Tennis Players Association is to strengthen player representation within tennis.
Why is Djokovic leaving PTPA?
But Djokovic said that he wants to disassociate himself from the organisation because his values and approach are no longer aligned with those of PTPA.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented,” Djokovic said on X.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice - but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”
The 24-time Grand Slam winner, Djokovic, added that he would want to focus his energy on his tennis and contributing to the sport in a manner that reflects his “principles and integrity.”
“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed.”
The difference between Djokovic and PTPA first appeared when the tennis body started legal actions against ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency in March 2025. PTPA accused the tennis bodies of anti-competitive practices.
The organisers of four Grand Slam events were also added to the legal case in September on accusations of failing to safeguard player welfare.
But Djokovic did not agree with these steps as he distanced himself from the legal action, stating that he did not agree with all the elements of the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, PTPA on Sunday said that the tennis body was created to protect players’ rights and is ready to make any changes to its functioning, if needed.
“The PTPA is governed by players and operates with open communication, collaborative decisions and regular engagement. We always welcome the opportunity to address issues with any player, and remain available to do so,” it said.
- FP Sports Desk
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