Neil Lennon ‘got’ Celtic. He was a rookie appointment, and the early weeks were far from comfortable, a Hampden defeat to Ross County looked like an ominous early sign, but from the start of his first preseason he didn’t look back.
He was a hugely successful Celtic manager in Scotland and in Europe. The Barcelona team of the last six years, possibly the greatest team in history, were at their peak when they visited Celtic Park in November 2012. Neil came up with the game plan which brought Celtic victory and raised our profile across Europe.
What he had to endure off-field during his time at Celtic was atrocious and a blight on our society. But he overcame it. He stuck it out when you or I may have left, and now he leaves on his own terms – an undisputed winner.
More at another time on who next, but if we get a man nearly as capable we will be doing well.
Take care, Neil.
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Lenny is an absolute legend in my eyes, Celtic to the core.
I remember a number of seasons ago while Lenny was still a player, the area around the front of Celtic Park was barriered off for some work getting done.
The players all jumped in their cars and sped off ignoring the waiting fans except for two players.
Lenny and Big John Hartson.
Both went out of their way to walk down to the barrier to stand and chat to the support.
One of our own has left the building.
Good luck and best wishes Lenny wherever you go next.
And so the revisionists have started, this from the Guardian;
aaronbeck
22 May 2014 12:40pm
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23Neil Lennon was subjected to levels of sectarian intimidation and violence that would be completely unacceptable in any country other than Scotland. He was assaulted by Rangers fans and left unconscious in the street. Other Rangers fans sent him letter bombs. He was attacked by a Hearts fan while in the technical area, on live TV. Rather than condemn these acts, the Scottish MSM implied that ‘he brought on himself’.
Its a miracle he stayed as long as he did.
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Guardian staff EwanMurray aaronbeck
22 May 2014 12:49pm
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16″Rather than condemn these acts”???
Away and behave yourself.
Aye Ewan, what planet are you on?
HH NFL
Potential managers beware
Scottish football writers will attack you
The fans of other clubs will assault you
And Celtic fans like adult alligators will eat you.
And to top it all off
The board will underfund you.
Only men with big shoulders and thick hides need apply
Neil Lennon has gone public with his resignation. That there is no announcement from the club can only mean one thing, they are going to unveil his replacement imminently.
The more I think of it, it has to be Larsson. From what we are now hearing, Lennon told Celtic 2 weeks ago that he was moving on. The board would surely have asked him to keep it under wraps until they acquire a new manager.
The bookies know something here.
It’s Henke. I’m sure of it.
Moyes is 7/1.
John Kennedy is 20/1.
Henke is 4/5.
That is going to be some gamble,should they appoint Henke.
Always the cheap option with that crew,so Moyes would be a surprise.
I would go for John Kennedy, because the stupid gamble has already begun, and at least John has won a few trophies.
The rest of the candidates just reads like a list of mediocrity.
Just been interviewed for Sky Sports outside Celtic Park.
Hail Hail
Unless something has dramatically changed in the last week or so , then I cannot see this coming as a shock to the PLC.
Neil, will have discussed his feelings way before now.
I suspect that the board have already had discussions about possible replacements, and soundings have been taken.
At least that is what I would expect from what is constantly described as one of the best run clubs in the UK..
I could of course be completely wrong.
Neil, I wish you well with everything you do.. You have earned some respite for you and your family.. HH
Still a complete bag of mixed emotions!
Delighted at the manner in which he has left – as Paul67 said on his terms, with the chest out and as a winner.
I am not sure the Celtic part of Scotland would have ever recovered had it been as a result of the persecution.
I thought we needed an injection of something new and different, but wanted that to be provided through a foreign assistant with a different brand of football as his repertoire.
I doubt we will ever get another manager who will be so closely aligned with the large majority of the fans – and I mean no disrespect to all other die hard Celtic people within the profession when I say that.
He quite literally was one of us – and when I say that its because he wouldnt have looked out of place supping on a pint before or after a game in the Gallowgate, such was his working class boots.
I hope the parting of ways doesnt become acrimonious. I hope if Lennon has been wronged he says so, although I know how much respect he has for Lawwell and Desmond so even if this was the case he probably wont say.
The single most interesting question.
Has Neil accepted another job.
Saddened to see you leave Neil you gave your best for Celtic both as a player and Manager,you leave with my best wishes for what the future holds for you. I hope your replacement shows the same courage & passion and love for Celtic that you certainly have
Henk and Lubo as assistant……………
Thanks Neil, & the very best of luck in whatever new opportunity presents itself. You have been a credit to yourself, the club & the supporters.
Nobody should have had to put up with the nonsense that you have had to bear in a supposedly modern, civilized nation. The fortitude & tolerance that you have shown has been exemplary. You go with i am sure the gratitude & best wishes of all of us.
Thanks and Best of Luck Neil.
But shhhhh! Don’t blame Celtic PLC for any part in this departure. It was all the bigots that done it. 14 years of bigots was just too much!
MWD says Aye
Did Davie Moyes quit Manchester because he knew the Celtic job would be available?
ernie lynch. you get that feeling because you are probably correct. H.H.
Paul67::
News reached me early this morning that Neil was going, shared it with some of you off blog. Now it would appear that it has come to pass.
I scooped on this page that he was our new Manager, remember it well.
Neil has done us and himself proud, that is the best and simple way to sum up his tenure.
I want to record my heartfelt thanks to my namesake who will always be in my heart, thoughts and Prayers.
For the record, do not be watching for me to be changing my moniker. There is only one Neil Lennon, there will be only one moniker for me…Lennybhoy until I am kicked off this site by Paul or until I die…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Henrik no more of a gamble than Neil.
Big Malky the safe pair of hands.
There are the only two I would consider at present.
Cannot see the club pay compensation for Paul Lambert.
DD,
Will they show it before 10pm? ;)
Gary67
12:54 on 22 May, 2014
a good friend said to me yesterday that Neil was going and asked my opinion of Steve Clarke
Neil is as short as 1/3 now for the Norwich job……..
Hail Hail and all the Best to Neil and his Family.
Stronger man than me to put up with what he has had to to do his job.
Wish him all the best wherever he goes from here.
I just hope the board don’t go for cheap and inexperienced, Who ever it is has a tough start to their career.
Take care and Hail Hail Always Neil.
KLV
Ernie Lynch –
Even in the midst of this bombshell the Old Firm obsession continues unabated.
Give it a rest.
Paul67 et al
Not big Malky MacKay for me. Great character, honest player, good man for Watford, Cardiff, Norwich et al, but too close to the ‘Largs school of football’, (think Moyes and McLeish) which I am afraid is going out of fashion.
@McNallyMirror: RT @celticservant: Neil Lennon is the last #Celtic manager to beat Rangers before they died. No manager can ever emulate that achievement.
…and another thing.
I’m glad this has come out now, rather than having 6-8 weeks of speculation as to which 3rd rate English team were in the hunt for him.
He has done it the right way, severe ties with Celtic and then look at his options
Really interesting to watch the news reporting here.
Suddenly lots of statements which are unattributed.
Oh Oh, another thought…
What about a Lambert and Larsson dream team?
Lenny has a rolling contract
Either he goes with the boards consent or works his notice …..I can’t see him having given his notice last year
Interesting to see the new mangers budget …or lack of
Connaire12, hope everything went well today, prayers said.
Sorry to see Neil go, needs to be replaced asap, but with the right guy.
I think we should go Italian………………..
Bma
Feckedifanocfc
Re: Provan reported comments
Both AC Milan and Ajax failed to make any kind of showing in European competition after last Christmas.
Our last 3 CL performances last season looked poor enough at the time. This site was in uproar after the defeat in Amsterdam and I recall the abuse hurled in the direction of the manager.
The failure of the two teams mentioned above to make any kind of impact make the performances seem even poorer.
I would argue that this gives Provan’s reported comments a degree of validity.
Nonetheless NL leaves with my appreciation, thanks and best wishes for the future.
We survived the summers of 1977, 1998, 2004, 2005 when significant figures moved on.
We move on from here.
whitedoghunch
13:14 on 22 May, 2014
Would be the most interesting choice amongst all the usual suspects who will get a mention.
The European experience, and the guys he has on speed dial alone should make him a consideration
Walker on SSN at least pointing out the pressures NL was under off the field, mentioning bullets through the post and death threats specifically.
His managerial achievements should always be assessed in this context.
Henrik recommended that Mo Bangura thing to the club.
That fact alone should be enough to rule him out of the job.
Moyes taking the lead in this poll
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/276200-poll-who-should-be-the-next-celtic-manager-you-decide/
twists n turns
13:09 on 22 May, 2014
Can’t believe Nicholas is shorter odds than the pope. You sure he’s not 1500/1?
kevinlasvegas
13:15 on 22 May, 2014
Stronger man than me to put up with what he has had to to do his job.
.
.
You hit the nail on the head there my friend.
Put up with more than most of us would have for Celtic, even more remarkable when you think of the life choices he would have had available to him thanks to his wealth.
Gold Coast Tom
13:16 on 22 May, 2014
And you can’t see the relevance?
Keep ur powder dry Neil.