Celtic Banter Archive May 22 2014

22 May 2014 21:22:19
Ed you heard anything about Dan petresco on the shortlist what wouuld you make of him

{Ed007's Note - I have not Graham but we could do worse than him.}

Ed do you know who is on the short list?

{Ed007's Note - Do you think there is a shortlist? }

I think the club has known Neil Lennon was going to leave for a while now and I also think they have already got a list of managers lined up to ready to replace him.

{Ed007's Note - What I meant was, what if the list only has one name on it? I think the board know who will be the new manager and have done for a while.}

23 May 2014 00:29:13
Don't know what to believe you hear names get excited then you hear oothers and get back to reality lol i'm sure well find out sooner ot later ed007 a lot of things sure begining to make sense like sami even commons like you mentioned. soz bout spelling had few shandies and hate touchscreens lol

{Ed007's Note - I just hope that we get the new man in ASAP to allow him to put his own stamp on the team personnel wise. The right appointment with some money invested in the team to bring in quality and we are good to go. Your spelling's fine btw.}

Hi Ed, what would you say to a Lambert Larsson team? they got on very well as players and they are both very professional. They would bring back a bit of respect, discipline and pride in the shirt. Lambert now has a bit of experience under his belt and Larsson could be a good foil for him. they would possibly suit the budget too.

{Ed007's Note - Yeah that could work but I don't think Lambert fancies the job at all.}

22 May 2014 22:35:37
I see Slavan Bilic is top of the poll, His record at club level isn't very good although I've always been a fan of his style of play when with Croatia

22 May 2014 21:59:11
As much as I adore the man. The legend. Henke. I just ain't going to get carried away with his legendry status. Relly don't think now is his time and feel if he is appointed the board will be using his status with the fans for the cheap option.
My man would be big malky or maybe even a foriegner to add something diffirent?
Just wanna get everyone else's view on what's going to be an exciting summer for the fans

Time for a reshape of our while structure.We need a coach who will play youth and develop a system that we play week in week out and don't need to change for Europe. Our fitness levels also concerned me last season, we should be running teams off the park with quick inventive football, and pressing hard all over the pitch to retain possession when we don't have it.

This is a crucial appointment, get it wrong and there could be problems ahead.

Mate if larsson is appointed, in my opinion it will be to sell season tickets and I predict the marketing slogan will be "The king has returned"

Its not that he's not ready, he just is not manager quality.

Celtic are a business now, football is a side issue for lawell. He is painting an impression winning the inevitable (league) is all that matters. No drive, no ambition.

Lawell will surprise me if a "marquee" signing will be produced. Seems to be his favourite term

Agree with DN30. I have never, not once had a bad word to say about this board in about 6/7. maybe 8 years. How can you? When we are winning the league and/or qualifying for the Champions league (forget last 16, that's a bonus). let's be real here. the money that comes with qualification let's us buy guys of 'potential'. Sorry, off point. If we were to appoint Henrik tomorrow I would back him to the hilt. HOWEVER I think we would be making a Huge mistake. When you get to three in a row. with the chances of it being 5/6/7. you can't take chances. I want Paul Lambert. GB YNWA!

{Ed007's Note - Do you really think just qualifying for the CL is enough, Davie, or have you just heard it that often you have started believing it?}

No Ed, I just look at us, in our wee league and compare us with clubs of comparable wealth/stature. When did Ajax/ Benfica/ Feynoord/ Sporting Lisbon/ Sevco :) / Galatassaray/ Napoli/ Fiorentina etc etc etc.get into the champions league three years in a row? We CAN'T take it for granted is wwhat I'm saying.not that we shouldn't have a right go at it.

It's often the case that we don't appreciate what we have, until we find the next person cannot match up. A good reputation at another club, maybe in another country is far from a guarantee of success. Just as vann Der Vaal and Murinho (excuse spellings) have ****ed up even with their large budgets, so too could our new man no matter whom, I just hope I am wrong .

22 May 2014 20:52:28
Lennon leaving
------------------
Simple answer too that ok here go

He was told to sell before he could buy & he told lawell he was chucking it .

I now predict that Celtic will appoint the cheapest option available . Coyle .

Wish I had known this before I paid my season ticket in full .

Personally if Celtic had any ambition at all then they would give the Celtic support the big name we crave .

My choice . Here we go!
An old head with a young assistant to be groomed for future . Harry Rednapp & henrik .

Laugh if you like, surely after having my season ticket for 20 years I'm allowed my view eh

I can only hope

22 May 2014 21:32:33
'arry would do a good job but doubt he would ever be looked at. someone mentioned him earlier although as ed says is wages alone would be massive

we should forget about these names that are floating about and look abroad. get some fresh ideas and mix it up a bit

not saying the names don't have quality about them but are they capable of taking us and pushing us on

as for the coyle rumour I think many of us will be having nightmares tonight but surely the board won't go there. he hasn't achieved and he's another one that is set in his ways with predictable teams and poor tactics

{Ed007's Note - It's nothing to do with Redknapper's wages, the man's a crook.}

What about?

Kevin Keegan and Steve Clarke, Keegan as dof and Clarke coaching.

Right Ed we don't want Harry it's not just his wages, it's the bonuses for the dog. My British choice would be
m McKay or else a foreigner of note with maybe Jackie Mac as number 2 if the manager was happy .

Harry Redknapp? You have got to be joking.

Nobody wants keegan as he has mental health issues, as for u saying arry a crook ed, everybody way money doesn't always play ball u know . What's wrong with having a bank account with Yir dugs name . No chance of getting bitten there eh ( sorry)

Green Jedi, what's so wrong with arry Rednapp, come on and divulge your dream management team, it's ok for u to mock my suggestion . & if u say Owen coyle I will refuse to read your posts ever again! I do agree with lots of your posts but not this . Arry Rednapp is a big Celtic fan u know

22 May 2014 20:26:51
ed, I heard a number of weeks ago now that Morten Wieghorst was supposedly going to be the new number 2 at paradise.
hows about yakan and Wieghorst?

{Ed007's Note - I'd be happy with that set-up.}

Sounds good but surely Yakan would want his own pick at his shoulder?

22 May 2014 19:57:41
Would anyone agree that Steve Clarke could be a good option for us? In my opinion, we need a calming influence at the club and most of the other names banded about so far leave me cold. Coyle failed at Bolton and Wigan, Henrik does not yet have the experience needed, Malky won't come back north, Keane isn't the answer and I don't think Moyes would want to come to us 9not sure I'd want him anyway?)
Steve Clarke has worked with the best and was desperately unlucky to binned by West Brom.

I would love Clarke at parkhead, probably a better coach than manager and if the board had long term plans? Then Clarke should probably be looked at for a coaching role!
A new manager would normally bring in his own team, unless we are going to be surprised, then I wouldn't mind the mind numbing board over ruling and just bringing him in?!
Whatever happens, it need to be right!

22 May 2014 19:30:09
I wonder if big Dolf Mjalby would maybe reconsider leaving the club now! Was he not leaving because he wanted to be a manager on his own? Has been a great servant to the club as a player and coach, knows the players and I was always very impressed with how he dealt with the media in Lennon's absence! Just a thought!

Good luck to Neil in his next job

Green surfer

Green surfer do you not think Mjallby already knew while back? And left as a result knowing he was not getting the job?

22 May 2014 19:02:01
Hi bhoys and ghirls I'm a very disappointed supporter tonight with Neil and the board. Not 100% gutted about him leaving as felt there needed some shake up need but timing is so wrong. He should have announced he was leaving once the league was won. He was part of the mon and wee Gordon changeover and the affect it had on champions league qualifying. Well enough doom and gloom the club was there before and will be there after he's gone.

Time to make real change get someone in that plays attractive football get bedded in before the zombie return. I personal would like Unai Emery from Sevilla. He's not out the question his club are in dire need of finance. And his record is fantastic at Valencia and Sevilla only blot on cv is poor run in Moscow

I think after 4 seasons in a job from hell as a result of the mob who were allowed to threaten and attempt to maim and kill plus winning 3 leagues in a row I am sure Lennon deserves the right to leave whenever he felt the time was right . I agree that a Spanish or Dutch coach with a good reputation would be ideal for Celtic especially with Jackie Mc Namarra -as assistant.

I'm not saying he hasn't the got the right to leave when he wants. I'm saying it should have happened when league was won not the day before season renewals finish. I wish him all the luck in the world, but qualifying for this years champions league is probable the most important ever due to the quoted £25m entry fee due to new tv deals with likes of bt.

Maybe discussing were still taking place
Maybe Lawwell was trying to string him a long and hope we would get so far into close season that Lennon would stay on. I think if Lawwell was welcoming Lennon's departure, it would have been announced within a day or two of season end . Lawwell knows Celtic will have to give a new manager more than he would have given Lennon .

22 May 2014 18:46:45
Roy Keane for manager, Robbie assistant, Liam Brady and Johnny Giles coaches with the view to train Stokes ti take over in 5 years. What's your thoughts DN old chap?

Lmao il give u that one TTTS lol

22 May 2014 21:46:31
Though you might appreciate that.PS forgot to mention Kenny Sheils for some strange reason .

22 May 2014 17:16:08
Hi ED

Neil Lennon was what Celtic needed four years ago. Needs and wants are constantly changing and evolving. The suggestion that a move to the EPL to, for instance, WBA, is not a step down per se at an "individual level" if Neil's desire is to seek out a different challenge. Perhaps the goal of a mid-table finish at WBA would rank above CL qualification and a domestic SPL walkover for Neil at a personal level. People, in all walks of life, do become jaded and underwhelmed. I wouldn't imagine it will be a financial thing. Neil will not be short of a bob or two albeit I thought the same of Chris Sutton!

If Neil wants to manage a top 8 EPL side, perhaps WBA is the only route open to him if he believes that further success with Celtic will not land him a top job in the EPL or overseas (Spain etc). Maybe he views this time and this window as the IDEAL time to explore his options. I wish him every success but do have my doubt about his actual credentials. He has not been tested domestically and at a European level, our route to the CL has been easier due to the "champions route" qualification process which paired us against champion "minnows" as opposed to high-rolling 3rd and 4th placed Spanish, French, Italian and German outfits so I never really saw "qualification" for the CL Groups as hard evidence of an outstanding manager of considerable pedigree; that is not to say that Neil isn't top-notch. Barcelona and Spartak Moscow will live long in the memory and there was a spell when he did indeed bring back an element of "passion" but even that has faded away at a dramatic level lately.

I did not think the courting and the open-ended responses to leading questions about his future whereabouts helped and it is a real pity that Celtic, with our "status" in the game, cannot curb such blatant moonlighting but that may have more to do with the weakness within Scotland's game in general.

If Neil does go to the EPL I hope he succeeds in all that he aspires to achieve and I hope he gets the financial backing to match his personal ambition. I always found him so eloquent. I think he will find his "space" in an awesome environment where the possibilities are limitless.

Celtic are a bigger club than the majority of clubs the world over. A top 20 "special club" but the reality is that any candidate with huge ambition at a pan-European or global level will always use Celtic as a stepping stone to bigger things and there is no shame in that; frustrating as it is.

Remember that everything is changing and evolving and I am SURE that the game itself will go through a silent revolution in time because "competition" underpins ALL SPORT if it is fair. The finances are not stacked in our favour currently but I hope that a slow but sure grassroots revolution driven by the majority of "fans" across the world will give us back the game that we used to love; that game where Steau Bucharest or Kiev or Ajax or CELTIC could compete for the top prizes; the ALSO-RANS will soon grow tired of simply turning out as cannon fodder; it is inevitable. You can only watch so many turkey-shoots and I am sure that Celtic's time will come again but until such time REALITY will bite and we should, with open arms, extend the warmest of welcomes to the next celtic manager, whoever that may be, and embrace THE NEW IDEAS, vision and personnel.

Yours in Celtic

Paradisewon

Lennon was NOT what we were needing 4 years ago. Celtic did NOT need another rookie as a manager (john barnes). This has been proven through cup records, signings, tactics and the inability to drop out of form players.

Leave it out. You have got what you wanted . Let's hope our new manager is able to make use of the good squad that he is inheriting and is able to get access to some of the funds Lennon did so much to help to create .

22 May 2014 16:48:39
Sad to see Neil go appears his time was up gives the new gaffer time to build before the tribute act return. Hope we get a good experienced manager would love to see Davie Moyes but John Collins tics all the boxes for me.

Can't see Moyes being a long term option or the magnificent 7. I would have real concerns if Owen Coyle was given the job don't like him at all. Big Malky would do a job but done nothing really.

Always really liked John Collins talks well and would build a team long term if we can't get proven manager who will gut the team I think we need to keep the core of this team I would trust JC to get the team fit and play with a bit of flair.

Ed I just want to reply to your "over the top out burst " re Lennon if I may. The twitter I wasn't over happy with and I am glad its stop, but only someone who had a grudge could call for his sacking . The merchandise was for charity . Maybe you not aware of the tremendous work Lennon. Has done as a Patron for special children from both communities and from both sides of the border . Maybe its his inherent shyness and reserve keeps his charity work hidden and not used to further his career .
I think it is sad that any Celtic fan would believe an agent , especially an agent ridiculing Celtic or Celtic employee.
You may not like it but Lennon has led Celtic from a shambles to the best position they have been in for years . Massive improvement in first team squad Massive improvement in finances, I know Ed you praise Lawwel for the finances but Lennon generated the wealth Lawwell managed it .

{Ed007's Note - Of course I'm aware of his charity work, EVERYONE is aware of his charity work, funny that isn't it? I'm not arguing with you any more about him, he's gone deal with it, you can go and support whichever small club he ends up at, as far as I'm concerned it's good riddance to bad rubbish. CFC is a better club today than it was yesterday morning.}

22 May 2014 16:29:51
My choice for new manager would have to be a European manager so he can take us to the next level in Europe.I'd like to see Van Baasten and he can bring Finnbogasson with him.However I can see McNamara getting the job.

I'd like jackie to be our next manger we've got enough experience for him to bleed youth!or give big Johan a chance but think that's why he left because he got told he wasn't getting the job! Lennon has done a good job but it was definitely time to part ways. I don't want Larsson to get the job it would be hard to sack a god.

22 May 2014 16:10:35
how about a lars lagerback and henrik larsson duo? with henrik being shown the ropes for a few years by the experienced lagerback. think he's the iceland manager just now. certainly not my first choice, just thinking out of the box.

would love koeman or bilic.

expecting coyle.

HH

22 May 2014 15:32:17
First of all I am disappointed that lenny has walked out in such short notice I thought he would have stayed a while longer,

Hearing rumours of a 4 man shortlist containing Henrik Larsson, David Moyes, Malky Mackay and Paul Lambert. Thoughts?

I would ideally like to see Henrik back but I think at this point in time we should opt for experience and go for Malky Mackay with Moyes 2nd choice.
I think Malky would be a good choice

Lambert has said before he wouldn't want to manage in glasgow so I can't see it.

Pay no heed to rumours, well I hope so as maybe M Makay everyone else that rumoured definitely a no.

22 May 2014 15:18:38
Do you guys reckon Tony Watt might get a look in now that Lennon is away?

{Ed007's Note - Yes.}

ED, Is Watt some distant relation to you. I really don't know where the evidence is for putting him on such a pedistool. Apart from the "goal" he has been average when given the chance. Hail Hail

{Ed007's Note - No, I just think that a lot more youngster will be given their chance now that Lennon is away and with a better manager he will learn to be more consistent. The black cloud of Lennon's ego has finally been lifted from CP today and the board now have a wonderful opportunity to make CFC all about CFC again instead of it being all about NL.}

Well perhaps if the standard procedure of dropping out of form players from starting 11 was utilised, tony watt may very well be remembered for more than "that goal". By the way tam, 18 app 9 goals in a far stronger league in belgium says it all really.

I wouldn't be so sure ED, the new manager whoever he is will be under immence pressure to qualify for the CL, and in the words of Mr Hansen, "You win $hit all wi kids" (I am paraphrasing of course). A new manager will not risk anything wi kids. What about Commons being Lennon's first signing. Hail Hail

{Ed007's Note - And we all know that Hansen was subsequently proven to be wrong.}

Ed, if you consider Neil Lennon as a black cloud hanging over Celtic, I would have to say that there has been black clouds over Celtic Park most of my 50 odd years supporting Celtic . I am excited by your optimism over the clear skies we are going to have over Celtic Park now that "bad" Lennon is no longer with us . Where and when is next year's Champions League final . I want to book early to get cheap flights .

{Ed007's Note - I said NL's ego has been a black cloud hanging over the club, everything had to be about him, especially when it was going well. You missed out the manager part where you said "bad" Lennon btw.}

How could anyone say Lennon was a bad manager . I am not saying he was the best ever, but by any measurement Lennon certainly was in the better half of Celtic management over the years .
I note the black cloud you refer, is likely to come from a personal dislike . That's fair enough, everyone is entitled to like or dislike who ever they like . I think its the nature of most good managers to have a high opinion of themselves .

{Ed007's Note - My personal dislike stemmed from witnessing the way his ego got out of control without seeing any management skills from him to warrant his arrogant smug demeanour. Notice you said most good managers have a high opinion of themselves, so where did NL's come from?}

Ed, there has to be something more to it . You are a wise and sensible poster who must be very aware that all half decent football managers suffer from an over inflated opinion of themselves . So I think you have a personal dislike to Lennon and as I said that is ok with me. But don't criticise him for his ego.

{Ed007's Note - NL has done nothing to warrant having an ego like his and his ego has been proven to be detrimental to the club as a whole. How many managers have their own tw@tter account, calendar and merchandise range? His carry-on on tw@tter should have been enough to see him sacked.
NL has done nothing out of the ordinary football wise as CFC manager, he's done nothing that hasn't been done before. Do you think NL was/is more important than the club, and do you think NL thinks he is/as more important than the club? If he is that good a manager then why has no English team, by his own admission, ever made any official move for him? I see Norwich were quick to appoint Neil Adams full-time to distance themselves from the Lennon circus, he had the cheek to say he was interested in bringing Hooper back the other week, if you have seen what Hooper's agent thinks of NL that was NEVER going to happen and NL knew it. Celtic is a far better place without NL there, too much ego will always strangle any talent you have.
In all that surrounds him the egotist sees only the frame of his own portrait.}

22 May 2014 14:13:13
well fair play to lennon leaving now rather than later and I think its right for both of them

a foreign manager like koeman would be ideal but there are a lot of others who the celtic job would appeal to very much across europe

ed you mention about murat yakin the other day was leaving basel. do you think the board will look towards him and who would you like to be brought in for manager?

the usual suspects will certainly pop up in the papers every morning and frighten the life out of me. there's quite a few I wouldn't want and a few I feel could do a real good job. will be a nervous but exciting few weeks probably

{Ed007's Note - Sadly I really can't see the board showing the ambition to appoint someone like Yakin, Kieran. Ideally I would like it to be someone like Yakin or as somebody mentioned the other day Slaven Bilic but I still think it will be Coyle. Personally I think an appointment like Larsson is more like a publicity stunt to get fans onside rather than a footballing decision. CFC are too big a club to be having managers cut their teeth here.}

Larsson for Lennon would be a deflection tactic by the board, a fan favourite coming in for another will stop people asking why Lennon really left if it's not for another job?!

If Larsson is appointed, time for lawell to go. Larsson is without a doubt the best player I have ever seen play for celtic. But as a manager, he is worse than lennon

22 May 2014 13:28:03
Best of luck to Neil Lennon in his future endeavours, it doesn't overly upset me that he's left but what you've got to ask yourself is this: Lennon loves the club n fans, why would he walk away from the chance to go down in folklore by completing 10IAR on his own - n make it clear he's not in talks with any other club? Time for answers Mr Lawwell.

As I've said elsewhere, I don't want Larsson as manager. Fantastic player, one of the greatest ever Celts, but he's an inexperienced manager. The Celtic job isn't for beginners! My first picks would be Ronald Koeman or Slaven Bilic, I'd also settle for an Oscar Garcia or Malky MacKay!

Ronald Koeman gets my vote mate

Just read someone on KDS claiming to be ITK with folk at the club. Apparently in the past 12 months Lennon n Lawwell have came to blows over Hooper, Ledley n Samaras. The final blow was talks they had over this summers transfer budgets, Lawwell didn't want to reinvest in the playing squad until European fitba is guaranteed. I wonder if we'll now find out what fat Sally said to him that night?!

Suspected for ages that Lennon had to go this year or commit for years to come. With the dark side probably coming to the top table in a years time he couldn't go then, it would look like running away. Then when Mjallby left I was pretty sure. However, last week when he had a wee dig at the board over Samaras I was convinced.

Farewell Neil Lennon and good luck in whatever yo do and wherever you go. Celtic legend. :-)

22 May 2014 12:43:07
Any chance of getting up a new poll on who the fans want as manager since Neil has just left? Would be good to see what everyone is thinking. Moyes, Larsson, Mackay and Coyle etc will all do doubt be in the frame. Cheers.

{Ed007's Note - If people want to send in some other (realistic) names I'll set one up.}

Bring back john barnes lol only joking

If qpr don't win the play off against derby what about arry the wheeler dealer? a know people would probs hate it but a would take him must admit

{Ed007's Note - It's bad enough trying to get money out the board for signings without covering 'Arry's bungs and his percentage of money he makes on transfers.}

Haha true gee u that 1 mate

If we were to give the job to someone with little experience based on who they are I'd go for someone like Zizou, Zinedine Zidane. Although he just knocked back Bordeaux to stay on as Sporting Director n Asst Mgr at Real Madrid.

22 May 2014 12:43:33
A massive thank you to Neil Lennon for his time as manager. For me he has done a great job although the cups have been a let down I admit. I was always impressed with the ambitions he had for the club, many of which were quite far fetched and he was ridiculed for them due to our budget etc, and his self-analysis - he was always looking to improve himself as a manager and going to seminars etc to try and benefit the club as well as himself. I think he'll do well wherever he goes. I have to admit though, the Henrik Larsson chat has me a bit worried!

22 May 2014 12:26:49
Lennon's agent Martin Reilly confirmed the former Celtic skipper had decided to leave the club after talks with cheif executive Peter Lawwell and the board.

A statement from Reilly read: "Neil has parted company with Celtic

"He wished to thanks the club, the supporters, Peter Lawwell and the board for their backing and wishes them all the best in the future.

"It's now time to look to the next chapter.

"As it stand Neil is not in talks with any other club."

22 May 2014 12:21:59
Got to say I am gutted lennon has left!

Ppl have other opinions about him but I wish him all the best and hope he goes to a premiership team n not norwich in the championship

G.B.N.L

Chris1888

22 May 2014 12:21:04
So many of the haters on here have got their wish and Lenny has left. Really gutted personally. I will happily admit it if I'm wrong but reckon you will all realise what we had soon enough. I honestly can't see anyone doing a better job. God bless you Neil, a true Celtic legend who went through hell to play for and manage the team he loved

What better job marty? 3 in a row 2 without any competition, a dire domestic cup record, millions spent on rubbish signings, next 2 nothing in the means of youth getting a chance except a couple, 1 good cl run so a disagree no 1 could do a better job that's horse sh1t

Well said Gunniebhoy. End of the day he was abysmal on all fronts and should never have got job

3 titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 2 consecutive appearances in CL and getting to last 16 once with a huge gap like never before in resources. Made millions from the club in the meantime through these 'poor signings' and wiped out all our debt. Folks like you will never learn even after seeing what happened to Rangers. We must live within our means and his 70% win record is unrivalled. I want us to win everything but you have to be realistic. We lost plenty games against other teams when Rangers were in the league but that is not Lenny's fault. People have very short memories. Lenny done a fabulous job in difficult circumstances but guys like you will never be pleased Gunnie . in my humble opinion.

DN30 - how can he possibly be abysmal on all fronts when he has won 3 titles in a row and won 2 Scottish Cups. Also, we have only once before in our history for the CL last 16 and he got us there. Silly, silly comment. I get you are not a fan but that makes no sense. I'm sure you'll be on moaning again soon at the new manager. A case of familiarity breeding contempt is the only excuse for comments like this

2/10 domestic trophies. Here we go with last 16 chat again. What about the other european campaigns particularly last seasons?= Absymal

@ DN 30, you have your opinion but to say he was abysmal is just ridiculous. Apart from the cups he has done a great job, 3 in row, last 16 CL and has made the club a lot of money, you have been exposed about that already and in an earlier post you state he leavin due to transfer targets just like Strachan. Well if that the case then he hasn't been backed with the signings he wanted yet you still blame him for that you can't have it both ways.

@rayman the whole issue of the transfers lennon made, was based solely on HIS signings alone. You tried to move goalposts by trying to credit him with previous managers signings which was totally irrelevant. Strachan was a good manager, it was gutting what happened to him. Lennon wasted at £7m last season on transfer targets. Unacceptable! No excuses! Perhaps lawell put a transfer limit on lennon because of this?

22 May 2014 12:10:53
Lennon has left the building.

22 May 2014 12:10:03
NOT A RUMOUR. NEIL LENNON LEAVES CELTIC.

22 May 2014 12:01:08
Just heard that Neil Lennon will stand down and Henrik Larsson to get the job.

22 May 2014 11:55:36
NEIL LENNON has officially left his post as Celtic manager.

News broke of Lennon's departure today after almost four years in charge of the reigning Scottish champions, following days of speculation about his future.

The 42-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to relegated English side Norwich City and top flight West Bromwich Albion, while his former Celtic team-mate Henrik Larsson emerged as the surprise bookie's favourite to succeed him at Parkhead.

Now Record Sport understands that Lennon's departure will be officially confirmed by the club today.

Parkhead sources are adamant that Lennon has not quit in a row over budgets or transfer targets.

A source said: "It's a sad day, but Neil has been talking to the club for some time about his situation, he feels he needs a fresh challenge and a break from the strains of this job. It happens with every manager, it was the same for Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan, eventually the time arrives when it is best for all concerned to move on."

A former Celtic captain, who won five top flight titles, four Scottish Cups, two League Cups and reached a UEFA Cup Final during his playing days at the club, his time as manager has been similarly eventful.

Lennon took the reins temporarily following Tony Mowbray's dismissal towards the end of the 2009/10 campaign with an unbeaten run of league wins overshadowed by a 2-0 defeat to then-lower league Ross County in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

He was then given the role on a permanent basis that summer, with Alan Thompson and Garry Parker joining a coaching team that already included another former team-mate as his assistant, Johan Mjallby.

Of the original team of four, only Parker remained at the end of last season with Thompson fired from his role in June 2012 and Mjallby announcing that he was leaving to "seek some different opportunities" in April this year.

During his time at the helm, Lennon has led Celtic to three league championships in a row and into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

He has also won the Scottish Cup on two occasions although the domestic cup competitions have remained a stumbling block.

This season Celtic were knocked out of the League Cup at home by relegated Championship side Morton and out of the Scottish Cup by Aberdeen.

More to follow.