Who Could Succeed Neil Lennon in Celtic Hotseat?

Who Could Succeed Neil Lennon in Celtic Hotseat?



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There is no ten in a row for Celtic, and that fact has cost Bhoys boss Neil Lennon his job. Club legend or not, someone had to pay the price for the Scottish Premiership title being surrendered so easily to Old Firm enemies Rangers.

With the Hoops trailing their cross-Glasgow rivals by such a long way, and Gers long odds-on in the football betting online because of their commanding lead, a change may well be coming at Parkhead. Who could step in and try to take Celtic in a different direction? Here are some of the contenders.

Steve Clarke

Scotland manager Steve Clarke is under contract with the national team through until the 2022 World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped him being linked with a return to club coaching. The Bhoys are obviously one of the biggest jobs in the country.

When he was boss at Kilmarnock between October 2017 and the end of the following season, he only lost three of seven matches against Celtic. That respectable record in opposition to the Hoops could stand him in good stead if he does leave the Scotland job after leading them to the Euro 2020 finals.

Rafael Benitez



This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND


The Hollywood option to replace Lennon is former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard left Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional midway through the season.

His previous departure from Newcastle was down to what Bentiez felt what a lack of ambition from that club. Celtic may struggle to match his vision, especially with the diminished status that comes with losing the title.

Eddie Howe

There are some parallels between former Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers and Eddie Howe. Both men got clubs promoted into the English Premier League, enhancing their great reputations as managers.

However, while Rodgers left Swansea City for Liverpool, Howe stayed loyal to Bournemouth. He also kept the Cherries in the top flight for five years. Leaving there in the wake of relegation, Celtic could be a fresh new challenge that helps toreinvigorate his career.

John Kennedy



For continuity, the Hoops have promoted assistant boss John Kennedy into the top job in the dugout on a cartaker basis. A product of the Parkhead academy, he had rotten luck with injuries that plagued his career on the pitch.

Kennedy has been on the coaching staff at Celtic for more than a decade, first working with the Under-20s and later the first team. In that time, he has served under Ronny Deila, Rodgers and Lennon is sure to have learned plenty from them.

Frank Lampard

Given how Steven Gerrard has revived Rangers’ fortunes across Glasgow, the Bhoys could look at making their next appointment like-for-like in fellow Premier League legend Frank Lampard. Harshly treated by his former club Chelsea, a swift return to coaching north of the border could be on the cards.

Lampard did better at the Blues without money to spend than when he had a blank chequebook from Roman Abramovich. The Celtic job could suit him, if he’s interested in following fellow England midfield great Gerrard up to Scotland.