Club legend Neil Lennon has stepped down from his second stint as manager of Glasgow Celtic.
It follows a disappointing season with the Glasgow club who find themselves 18 points behind Rangers in the Premiership after 30 games played. Unfortunately there have been so many woeful losses along the way this season with St. Mirren and Ross County being two exceptional low points in recent times.
Celtic Football Club today announced that Neil Lennon has resigned from his position as Football Manager with immediate effect.
We thank Neil sincerely for all he has done for the club and we wish him every success going forward.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 24, 2021
The points gap will now undoubtedly result in a failure to set a new record of 10 Scottish league titles and therefore crowning a Steven Gerrard lead and bitter rivals, Rangers, as champions in the coming weeks.
Speaking today after the news broke Gerrard stated that the resignation was no shock to him, “I can’t say I’m surprised because of obviously what’s been going on over there. I obviously take no personal satisfaction from seeing that happen to Neil or any other fellow manager that happens to. So I wish him well for the future.”
Lennon’s Legacy
After achieving great success with Hibernian, Lennon returned to the club in February 2019 for a second spell in charge. He succeeded Brendan Rodgers who left to take charge of Premier League side Leicester. In his recent run Lennon led the Bhoys to two league titles and the domestic treble last season which was the clubs fourth consecutive domestic treble.
Lennons first stint in charge of the Hoops began in 2010 and ended in 2014. During his tenure the side enjoyed great success as they won three Scottish league championships and two Scottish Cups. He also boasted an impressive playing CV under the Martin O’Neil and Gordon Strachan regimes at Celtic. After signing for O’Neill in 2000 for £5.45 Million , Lennon went onto capture five league titles, four Scottish cups and two League cups. He was also involved in Celtics Road to Seville, where they ended runners up after losing to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in the final.
Neil Lennon’s Official Statement
In a statement on the club website Neil Lennon said: “We have experienced a difficult season due to so many factors and, of course, it is very frustrating and disappointing that we have not been able to hit the same heights as we did previously.
“I have worked as hard as ever to try and turn things around, but unfortunately we have not managed to get the kind of run going that we have needed.
“I have always given my best to the Club and have been proud to deliver silverware to the Celtic supporters. The Club will always be part of me. I will always be a Celtic supporter myself and I will always want the best for Celtic.
“I would like to thank so many people at the Club who have given me so much and I would also like to thank my family for their love and support. I wish the Celtic supporters, players, staff and directors nothing but success for the future.”
John Kennedy is to take temporary charge of the team. Kennedy played as a centre back for Celtic and Norwich City, and since retiring, has worked as a scout and a coach for Celtic . In February 2019 he was appointed assistant manager of the club.
