Celtic have now lost three consecutive matches, with defeats against Rangers and Ferencvaros leaving supporters increasingly frustrated with the direction of the team.
The situation has created uncertainty around O’Neill, who has faced growing scrutiny after the disappointing results. The veteran manager admitted after the latest Rangers defeat that he would take time to reflect on the situation before speaking with the Celtic board.
Celtic have suffered a major setback in their search for a possible new manager after former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss rejected an approach to take charge at Parkhead.
The Portuguese manager was targeted as Celtic explored alternatives amid growing pressure surrounding Martin O’Neill following a difficult run of results.
Pereira emerged as one of the names considered as Celtic assessed their options.
The former Wolves manager has considerable experience in English football and was appointed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024. He helped improve the club’s position before eventually leaving in November 2025.
His experience at Premier League level made him an attractive option for a Celtic side looking for a manager capable of handling a club with significant expectations.
However, Pereira has rejected the opportunity to take over at Parkhead, leaving Celtic facing another complication at a time when pressure is already building around the manager’s position.
The decision comes after Celtic’s difficult sequence of results.
Their problems began with a heavy defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the League Cup. Celtic then suffered another setback in Europe against Ferencvaros before losing to Rangers again in the latest Old Firm meeting.
The three defeats have completely changed the atmosphere surrounding the club.
Before the poor run, O’Neill had overseen a strong start to the league campaign, but the consecutive losses have led to questions about whether Celtic need a change in leadership.
Some supporters have openly called for the club to consider a new manager, while others have questioned whether O’Neill, at 74, should continue in the role.
The pressure has become particularly intense because of Celtic’s performances against Rangers.
The 3–0 defeat at Ibrox was followed by another loss to their biggest rivals, increasing frustration among supporters who expected a stronger response from the team.
O’Neill subsequently acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said he would reflect before discussions with the club’s board.
That has opened the door to further speculation about Celtic’s managerial plans.
Pereira’s rejection now adds another twist to the situation.
The Portuguese coach has built a reputation across several European leagues and has managed clubs in Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Germany and England. His experience of working in the Premier League made him a name capable of attracting attention from Celtic.
However, he will not be taking over at Parkhead at this stage.
The reasons behind Pereira’s decision have generated considerable discussion. Personal reasons have been cited for his decision, although claims that the rejection was specifically caused by Celtic supporters have not been confirmed by either Pereira or Celtic.
That distinction is important because the Celtic job comes with enormous pressure, particularly when results begin to deteriorate.
The manager is expected to compete for domestic trophies, perform strongly in European competition and deliver results in the Old Firm rivalry.
For O’Neill, the immediate challenge is therefore not only recovering results but also restoring confidence among the supporters.
Celtic’s next decisions will be closely watched during the international break.
The club must decide whether to continue backing O’Neill or explore alternatives after the damaging run of results. The fact that Pereira has rejected the opportunity means one potential option has already disappeared from the picture.
For supporters demanding a new direction, the development will be frustrating.
Celtic had hoped to maintain their strong start to the season, but three consecutive defeats have transformed the mood around Parkhead. The losses have also placed greater responsibility on the club’s board to determine how the situation should be handled.
O’Neill remains in charge for now, but the pressure surrounding his position is clearly increasing.
Pereira’s decision means Celtic will have to look elsewhere if they ultimately decide to make a managerial change.
The club now faces an important period during the international break, with the board expected to assess the team’s performances and the manager’s position.
For Celtic supporters, the biggest question is no longer simply about the three defeats. It is whether the club believes O’Neill can turn the situation around or whether a new manager will eventually be required.
For now, however, there is no confirmed managerial change at Parkhead. Pereira has rejected the approach, while O’Neill remains Celtic manager as the club prepares for what could become one of the most important periods of the season.
