Celtic confirm departure of history maker as title winning Hibs boss takes up Parkhead role

The Glasgow giants have confirmed that the Swedish head coach will be succeeded by title-winning Hibs boss Grant Scott, as the SWPL undergoes a shock managerial merry-go-round ahead of the Christmas break.

The 32-year-old boss replaced Fran Alonso at Parkhead in January 2024 and made Scottish women’s football history by leading them to their first-ever SWPL title. Shortly afterwards, Sadiku secured qualification to the group stages of the Women’s Champions League, beating Vorskla Poltava 3-0 in the second round playoffs, sealing their spot in the competition for the first time.

Currently seven points behind league leaders Glasgow City in third, a weekend report from the Daily Record exclusively revealed that Sadiku had opted to cut short her stay with the club, with a return to her native Scandinavia and BK Hacken expected to be his next destination. Both clubs have now confirmed the news via their official websites.

A short statement on the club’s official website read: “Everyone at Celtic would like to thank Elena for the role she has played during a period of historic success for Celtic FC Women and wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.

As for her Celtic replacement, Scott joins just months after being awarded the PFA Scotland SWPL Manager of the Year 2025 award following his title-winning campaign with Hibs last season. Beating Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox on the final day of the season, a late strike from Linzi Taylor clinched their first SWPL title since 2007, with the 51-year-old boss praised for his work in finishing ahead of big-spending Rangers and his former club, Glasgow City.

“It is a huge honour to join Celtic,” said Grant. “I look forward to carrying on the great work at the club, to push on and bring even more success to Celtic. I'm excited to join at a time when the new Barrowfield Training Centre is giving our women’s team every opportunity to develop, providing the players and those coming through the Academy with the best possible environment to train and come to work each day.

"I have experience of bringing success to clubs and, ultimately, this is what we will all strive for again, to ensure that Celtic can be at the very top of the women’s game.”

On Scott’s departure from the capital, Hibs said: “The club has agreed a figure of compensation with Celtic for Scott’s exit. During his first spell at Hibernian, Scott presided over a Scottish Cup and League Cup double before departing the Club in December 2019. Returning in June 2023, he would oversee our first league title success in 18 years as Hibernian lifted the Scottish Women’s Premier League trophy in May 2025. Everyone connected with Hibernian would like to thank Scott for the impact he has had on the history of Hibernian FC Women.”

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