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Roberto Martinez is increasingly linked to the vacant Celtic managerial position, but Christian Ilzer is considered the ideal candidate for the role.
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Momentum for Martinez but Christian Ilzer would be perfect for Celtic job
Roberto Martinez has long been rumoured for the vacant Celtic managerial position, with yet more speculation regarding the matter being reported in several outlets over the past few days.
The current Portugal national team coach would clearly be a box office capture for Celtic, that isnāt up for debate, but for me the man we should be looking at is Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer.
Head coach Christian Ilzer of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Kƶln and TSG Hoffenheim at RheinEnergieStadion on February 21, 2026 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
I discussed the Austrian coach at length in a recent article on The Celtic Star as one of a few names that I believed should be on a short list of names to become the next Celtic manager, and the more I look into the 48 year old, the more I believe that heās the man to take the reins at Celtic Park.
Ilzer has done an impressive job at current club Hoffenheim, who were relegation candidates when the Austrian took over, and are now currently in fifth place, and still very much in contention for a Champions League spot.
Roberto Martinez is rumored for the Celtic managerial position due to his experience and success as the current Portugal national team coach.
Christian Ilzer is the current coach of Hoffenheim and is viewed as the best candidate for the Celtic job due to his coaching style and potential fit with the club.
Recent reports indicate that speculation around Roberto Martinez's candidacy for the Celtic managerial role is intensifying.
Hiring Christian Ilzer could bring a fresh approach to Celtic, potentially enhancing their performance and aligning with the club's vision.

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Itās not just the way heās applied himself in the ultra competitive German Bundesliga, heās also more importantly experienced the pressure of a title race in his native Austria having led Strum Graz to a league title in 2024, as well as two domestic cups, an achievement that won him a move to the German Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
At Celtic he would be required to be fighting for honours, so his Strum Graz experience would stand him in good stead.
Ilzer also requires his side to play a certain way, one which I reckon would suit Celtic perfectly. Heās a coach who studies his opponents throughly and adapts his game to combat the opposition.
He demands that his sides adopt a high press, winning the ball back quickly and attacking directly and fast. Frequent cross balls into the box is also high on Ilznerās agenda.
The Austrian also frequently employs a 4-4-2 system, with concentration on a tight and compact midfield, complemented by a well disciplined defence, all traits that are quite obviously missing from our side at this moment in time and indeed for pretty much the entire season.
Ilzer has also shown that he can turn the fortunes of a club in no time at all, something heād need to do if he took the job at Celtic park.
Heād have to be backed in the transfer market of course, and heād have to be persuaded to swap the Bundesliga for the Scottish Premiership. But we can only ask the question. Heād certainly be my top target for the Celtic job.
Manager Roberto Martinez of Portugal looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
If recent speculation is correct and Roberto Martinez is the clubās top target then of course heād get my full support and the backing of all Celtic fans.
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