---
title: "Celtic: Fans welcome new coaching roles for Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-fans-welcome-new-coaching-roles-for-darren-odea-and-stephen-mcmanus/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-09-18T06:15:27Z"
modified: "2019-09-18T06:15:27Z"
---

# Celtic: Fans welcome new coaching roles for Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus

**Former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea has been named as the new manager of the club’s under-18 side, with Stephen McManus vacating the role to work alongside Tommy McIntyre as reserve team coach at the Hoops.**

The club confirmed the appointments on their official website [celticfc.net](https://www.celticfc.net/news/16805) and [@CelticFCAcademy](https://twitter.com/CelticFCAcademy/status/1173686791557324800) highlighted the news on Twitter.

> The Academy would like to welcome new U18 Manager, Darren O’Dea.
>
> Darren will replace Stephen McManus, who will move to work alongside Tommy McIntyre, as Reserve Team coach.
>
> Good luck to you both.
>
> [pic.twitter.com/7UAM0gO9iR](https://t.co/7UAM0gO9iR)
>
> — Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) [September 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/CelticFCAcademy/status/1173686791557324800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

O’Dea, who was [capped 21 times by Republic of Ireland](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darren-odea/profil/spieler/37430), played [59 times for Celtic between 2005 and 2010](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darren-odea/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/37430), [winning two league titles and one League Cup](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darren-odea/erfolge/spieler/37430). He has come back to Celtic Park following his involvement in Motherwell’s academy coaching setup, as noted by [celticfc.net](https://www.celticfc.net/news/16805).

McManus is also a former Hoops defender, making [171 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2010](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-mcmanus/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/21334) and scoring [19 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-mcmanus/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/21334). He won [three league titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-mcmanus/erfolge/spieler/21334) in his time at the club.

Like O’Dea, he also [had a coaching role with Motherwell](https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2017/08/14/mcmanus-retires-to-take-up-coaching-role/) before [becoming Celtic under-18s manager last January](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46870715).

These Celtic fans took to Twitter to congratulate the pair on their new roles, with one fan evening comparing the club’s approach to Bayern Munich, who currently have former Bayern player [Niko Kovac](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niko-kovac/profil/trainer/10463) in charge, as well as the likes of [Robert Kovac](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-kovac/profil/trainer/27509), [Hans-Dieter Flick](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hans-dieter-flick/profil/trainer/67) and [Klaus Augenthaler](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/klaus-augenthaler/profil/trainer/10) all working at the club after playing in Munich.

> Welcome back home [@odea\_darren](https://twitter.com/odea_darren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Gary Quigley (@GaryQuigley4) [September 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/GaryQuigley4/status/1173689406399700992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Get that production line rolling boys and look after our kids….
>
> — Denis Maxwell (@lubohenke1967) [September 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/lubohenke1967/status/1173703119001313280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Good luck to both! [@StephenMc446](https://twitter.com/StephenMc446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) has been great with the boys, I’m sure [@odea\_darren](https://twitter.com/odea_darren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) will be too
>
> — Leeann Corr (@LeeannCorr) [September 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/LeeannCorr/status/1173880409744125953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Love having the old boys as part of the set up. Like Bayern.
>
> — Hamill (@CPHamill) [September 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/CPHamill/status/1173708580110917632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Great to see you’s back good luck to you both HH
>
> — john gillan (@johngillan14) [September 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/johngillan14/status/1173897436227653638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/paulkerrdj21/status/1173703202044293120

***What are your memories of O’Dea and McManus as Celtic players? Could they be part of the senior coaching staff in future? Share your views in the comments section below!***