Celtic are far from the only club to have changed manager already in 2026.
Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal came just a day after Chelsea’s sacking of one-time Celtic managerial target Enzo Maresca.
This week, we have seen Xabi Alonso get the axe at Real Madrid, after just six months in the job. West Brom have replaced Ryan Mason with Eric Ramsay too.
Over at Old Trafford, they’ve got used to managerial changes – particularly in the middle of the season. After Ruben Amorim got the bullet, it was boyhood Hoops fan Darren Fletcher who was named caretaker boss.
And despite such a long affiliation with Manchester United, Fletcher hasn’t forgotten his boyhood heroes.
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The Celtic predicted XI to play against Falkirk
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Man Utd boss Darren Fletcher’s Celtic scouting mission
Fletcher has taken charge of two games – winning neither – and it appears that this will be his lot, with Michael Carrick on track to replace him.
The 41-year-old had been Head Coach of United’s Under-21s prior to being given the caretaker role.
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Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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And the night before Amorim left, Fletcher’s focus had been on Glasgow, it has been revealed by United expert Andy Mitten on talkSPORT.
He said: “They bring in Darren Fletcher, I’ve got a very high opinion of Darren Fletcher.
“I was speaking to him, all last Saturday, I went to Celtic vs Rangers and he was telling me which players to watch out for.
“He is a childhood Celtic fan, but I don’t think he knew what was going to happen the following day.
“I think he’ll make a very good manager, Darren Fletcher, I don’t know where that will be, I think he spoke well, but that was only for a couple of games.
“Now looks like Michael Carrick, I spoke with a Solskjaer several times, last week as well, these are difficult times.
“I don’t have a panacea of the problems at Manchester United right now, it’s been a very disappointing season. League form has picked up, but cup form has been atrocious.
“There were 22 cup games last year, there have been two this year, the one season where Manchester United needed to be in doing rather domestic cups was this season.”
Kieron Bowie to Celtic… yes or no?
Kieron Bowie during Hibs' qualifier against Legia Warsaw
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Other Premier League bosses with Celtic links
New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior cited ex-Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers as a key influence in his first interview.
Under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has also praised Rodgers, describing him as a friend whom he has ‘huge respect’ for.
Everton boss David Moyes began his playing career at Celtic, and regularly talks up the time he spent at the club with greats such as Danny McGrain.
And who could forget Newcastle boss Eddie Howe’s talks with Celtic, which were widely covered for months before the whole thing collapsed, paving the way for Ange Postecoglou.
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