Celtic next manager: Three replacements for Neil Lennon after Rangers Old Firm defeat
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Celtic boss Neil Lennon is back under pressure. The Hoops manager saw his side’s hopes of retaining their Scottish Premiership crown dealt a huge blow on Saturday, with Rangers winning 1-0 in the Old Firm derby. And it means they now sit 19 points behind their fierce rivals.
Celtic fans were furious with Lennon after the match against Rangers, calling for their manager to get the sack.
One tweeted: “Please @CelticFC sack Lennon. He is virtually clueless tactically.”
Another added: “Only person to blame today is Lennon. He got us into the position that today was a must win for a chance at ten.”
A third exclaimed: “Sack Lennon TODAY!!!!”
And one more said: “How is Neil Lennon still in a job?”
Celtic have resisted the temptation to sack Lennon so far, but Express Sport will now take a look at three potential replacements for the 49-year-old.
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Martin O’Neill
Martin O’Neill is currently the favourite to replace Lennon at Celtic.
The 68-year-old has been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019, where he was sacked after just six months in charge.
Now, however, O’Neill is being tipped for a return to management.
He spent five years at Celtic earlier in his career between 2000 and 2005, helping them win three Premiership titles on the spin.
He also guided the Hoops to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, where they were beaten by Jose Mourinho’s Porto, and a stunning return would make perfect sense.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe left his post as Bournemouth manager back in the summer, shortly after the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship.
And he’s another who could replace Lennon in Glasgow.
Howe recently opened up on his future, saying: “I made my decision for the best interests of Bournemouth and myself. I wanted to be at home and be with my family, to see my kids grow up, I wanted to learn and develop my knowledge and abilities as a manager.
“Then, if I decide to get back in, if I am lucky enough to get given an opportunity, I will do that. But for me, I do not want to get back in just for the sake of it, it would have to be something that really motivated me.
“I made my decision for the best interests of Bournemouth and myself. I wanted to be at home and be with my family, to see my kids grow up, I wanted to learn and develop my knowledge and abilities as a manager.
“Then, if I decide to get back in, if I am lucky enough to get given an opportunity, I will do that. But for me, I do not want to get back in just for the sake of it, it would have to be something that really motivated me.
Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilic recently lost his job at West Brom.
But Celtic could be an attractive proposition to the Croatian.
Bilic has shown his managerial credentials throughout his career and the Hoops could be forgiven for going for his appointment.
He may be wary of returning to management so soon.
But Celtic are a giant club – and the prospect of replacing Lennon would certainly be worth considering.
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