Neil Lennon has resigned as the manager of Celtic with immediate effect.
After nearly two years at the helm, Lennon’s resignation was confirmed on Wednesday morning, with Celtic currently 18 points behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership standings.
Neil Lennon Resigns After Tumultuous Third Season at Celtic
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
End Was Always Nigh For Lennon
Poor form in pursuit of a tenth straight Scottish league title had put pressure on Lennon to resign and, after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Ross County, his departure was confirmed on the club’s official website.
Reflecting on his decision to leave the Glasgow side, Lennon stated: “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.”
Having brought an unprecedented haul of trophies, including the historic ‘Quadruple Treble’, to Celtic Park, more success was expected in 2020/21.
However, Celtic’s form took a turn for the worse, as they were eliminated from the second qualifying round of the Champions League in a humbling home loss to Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros. This humiliation looked to be offset by a solid start in the league, as Celtic won nine of their first ten Scottish Premiership matches.
Tensions then reached a boiling point at the end of November when, after their astonishing 35-match winning run in domestic cups was put to an end by County, protesting fans clashed with police at Parkhead.
Commenting on Lennon’s exit, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell added: “I would like to pay tribute to Neil for all he has done for the Club in his second spell, delivering our eighth and ninth successive league titles, the Quadruple Treble and winning the last five available domestic trophies.
“Neil has always been and will always be a true Celtic man and someone I will always hold in the highest regard.”
Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond also added: “Neil is a Celtic legend both as a player and manager. He has given so much to the Club, and with his success over the last number of years – including winning a Treble in his own right – he will be very difficult to replace.
“We thank Neil sincerely for all he has done for the club and we wish him every success going forward.”
With Lennon leaving his post, assistant manager John Kennedy will take temporary charge of the team as the search for a new manager starts.
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