NEIL LENNON is being backed by Celtic favourite Joe Ledley for a shock comeback to the dug-out – at Cardiff City!
The Hoops legend has been out of work since being sacked by Dinamo Bucharest in August after only three months in charge of the Romanian club.
Lennon, 53, who left Parkhead for a second time in February 2021 in the midst of a disastrous bid for a historic tenth successive title, also had a spell in Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia, but that, too, ended abruptly with his departure in October 2022 after taking over in March that year.
IT TAKES TWO…David Turnbull and Neil Lennon in the Parkhead boardroom after the midfielder’s arrival from Motherwell in August 2020. The ex-Celts could be reunited at Cardiff City.
Now the former champions’ manager and captain is being linked with the post at the Championship side who are struggling in the relegation zone with Omer Riza currently at the helm in a caretaker capacity.
David Turnbull, who was signed by Lennon for £2.75million from Motherwell in August 2020 and sold to the Welsh club in January by Brendan Rodgers, is also part of the team fighting to get clear of the drop zone.
The Scotland international has scored just one goal in 26 games since his £2million switch at the turn of the year.
Ledley, who was also signed by the Northern Irishman in 2010, insists his old gaffer would be ideal for Cardiff.
Asked about who could do a job for his ailing side, the ex-Wales midfield ace responded: “Neil Lennon. I think he would be brilliant there.
CROWNING GLORY…Neil Lennon with the Premiership silverware in 2020.
“With his man management skills and the way he wants his players to fight for the club and fight for the jersey.
“I haven’t seen that there for a long, long time at Cardiff. I know Lenny and the way he can play will be exactly the same as other managers.
“I’d just like to see that fight from the players and that togetherness. I haven’t seen it since probably when Neil Warnock was at Cardiff. So I’m going to say Neil Lennon, whether he wants it, I don’t know.”
Ledley, speaking to the Gambling.com outlet, added: “At the moment there are a few names flying around. I think it’s down to the chairman to decide whether they’re going to stick with Omer Riza or if they’re going to go and invest some money in another manager.
“It’s a difficult league, but they need to get back to winning ways to stay away from that relegation zone.”
As well as his two stints at Parkhead and with the the Romanian and Cypriot clubs, Lennon has also managed Bolton Wanderers and Hibs on his material travels.
