Celtic manager Neil Lennon has left Celtic after 4 years in charge of the Scottish giants. Lennon left following talks with the board about his and the clubs future.
It's understood that the manager has been considering his position at the club for some time, and with prospects for a job in England looming large, the former Northern Irish international has left the club.
Lennon stated "I have parted company with Celtic, the club are in a very strong position and I wish the fans and the club all the very best for the future." He went on to thank Chief Executive Peter Lawwell and the board “for their backing and support during my time as manager.”
Lennon took over the managerial reins at Celtic following the dismissal of Tony Mowbray in 2010 and has led them to three league titles and two Scottish Cups in his three and half years in charge. Lennon also guided the Glasgow club to the last 16 of the Champions League, beating Barcelona along the way in a night that has gone down in Celtic folklore.
He leaves after a season where the club flirted with an unbeaten league campaign, but disappointments in both cup competitions, where they were eliminated by Aberdeen and Morton, and a disappointing Champions League campaign epitomised by the 6-1 defeat in the Nou Camp.
Lennon’s time in Glasgow has seen him deal with threats against him and his family due to his Catholic upbringing. In addition, the liquidation of Rangers has left the Premier League champions with a diluted league without any real competition.
It is understood that Lennon, whilst seeking pastures new, had concerns over the playing budget available to him next season as the club prepare to negotiate three qualifying ties to make the Champions’ League group stages for the third season in a row.
Early favourites for the job include Celtic hero Henrik Larsson, who has been building experience in the Swedish league, and former Celtic stalwart Jackie MacNamara who has brought relative success to Dundee United whilst playing attacking and attractive football, a specification that Celtic fans will demand.