Celtic confirm Shaun Maloney’s return, replacing Darren O’Dea

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·25 giugno 2025

Celtic confirm Shaun Maloney’s return, replacing Darren O’Dea

Celtic this afternoon confirmed that Shaun Maloney has been appointed as the club’s new Professional Player Pathway Manager, with the aim of developing the progression of players at the club…

Shaun Maloney returns to Celtic. Image Celtic FC

Shaun will work closely with Paul Tisdale, the club’s Head of Football Operations, Men’s First Team Manager, Brendan Rodgers, Chris McCart, our Head of Academy and the club’s B Team and Academy Coaches and, in this hugely important role, he will work to ensure the effective development of players to play for Celtic.

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Through the maintenance of strong relationships with clubs across leagues, both domestically and internationally, the role will also manage loan opportunities which support player pathway and development opportunities.

Shaun himself came through the ranks at Celtic before making more than 200 first team appearances and winning 5 League titles and 3 League Cups with the Club.

He has also played for Aston Villa and Wigan in the English Premier League as well as having spells in the English Championship and the MLS. Following the end of Shaun’s playing career, he held management positions at Wigan Athletic and Hibernian FC.

24th May 2025; Hampden Park, Scottish Cup Football Final, Aberdeen versus Celtic; RossDoohan of Aberdeen chats to Shaun Maloney ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

Speaking about his new appointment today Shaun Maloney, who was recently linked with the manger’s job at Dundee, said: “It is a huge honour to be given this opportunity to return to Celtic, in a role which I am really passionate about.

“My aim will be to work really closely between our Academy and the First Team and create the very best opportunities for success, which will ultimately be represented by more and more players reaching our first team environment.

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town at DW Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Wigan. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

“I have been fortunate enough to follow this same pathway and I am now excited about ensuring many more young players can take this same journey.”

Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s Head of Football Operations had this to say about Shaun Maloney coming back to the club to fill the vacancy left by Darren O’Dea leaving to join Swansea City as their Assistant Manager: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring Shaun back to the club in this role.

Shaun Maloney in action in Seville. 21.05.2003 Photo imago/ColorsportShaun Maloney (Celtic Glasgow) Ricardo Costa (FC Porto)

“Shaun will be tasked with developing the internal and external processes necessary to ensure we optimise the talents of our young players.

“Through his experience and knowledge, we believe Shaun will add significant value to the role”.

Brendan Rodgers, of course will have played a massive role in this appointment, which we talked about last night on The Celtic Star. The Celtic manager said: “I am really pleased to welcome Shaun to this post. He is someone I believe will make a great contribution to the club in this area.

Belgium s assistant coach Shaun Maloney and Belgium’s head coach Roberto Martinez pictured during a training session of the Belgian national soccer team Red Devils, in Tubize, Tuesday 15 June 2021. The team is preparing for the second game of the group phase of the Euro 2020 European Championship

“He is an intelligent guy who knows what it takes to be a successful Celtic player and I think his experience will be invaluable in this role.

“He has all the credentials to be really successful in positively developing our younger players.”

So not for the first time and maybe not for the last we can say welcome back Shaun!

Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that Shaun Maloney has been appointed as the club’s new Professional Player Pathway Manager, with the aim of developing the progression of players at the club. More info below ⤵️ #CelticFC🍀
– mercoledì 25 giugno 2025

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