Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that he held talks with Dermot Desmond over the summer, but insists there’s still no update on his long-term future at Celtic.
The Irishman is entering the final year of his three-year contract, and while Celtic have plenty on their plate in terms of building a squad capable of Champions League impact, the manager’s future now looms as a major narrative heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
At most clubs, discussions about a manager’s future would involve the boardroom or chief executive. But at Celtic, where the power structure remains unique, it’s the club’s largest shareholder, Dermot Desmond, who holds the keys to the most critical decisions.
Rodgers confirmed to The Sun that the expected summer sit-down with Desmond did take place:
“Yes, we spoke with all the guys. I had a meal and a chat around a number of things. So, yes, I had a nice meeting. We touched base on it but it primarily is just a chat around things.”
He reiterated that his focus remains solely on preparing for the new season:
“Like I’ve said, it’s still a long, long way out but my focus is really just now getting the team ready and making us really competitive and exciting for this coming season. But a year’s a long, long way out.”
It’s a calm exterior from Rodgers, but the situation is far from straightforward. In football, allowing a player to drift into the final year of a deal is always a risk — the same applies, perhaps even more so, with a manager. The absence of a new deal or any serious public movement on one raises questions the club or Brendan will eventually need to answer. If you leave a vacuum it will be filled by something.
He’s signed up for this season. But what happens beyond that point is still up in the air, and fans — along with the media — won’t let the subject slide indefinitely.
The longer clarity is delayed, the more speculation will mount. Celtic know that continuity breeds success, especially with the high turnover of players. If Rodgers is to be the long-term figurehead of the next Celtic cycle, then decisions will need to be made well before next summer.
Dermot wants Rodgers to stay, but Brendan may look for another challenge at the end of this campaign.
