Neil Lennon has been offered the Celtic manager job on a permanent basis, ending the speculation that Rafa Benitez might be a contender.
The Spaniard has been the bookies favourite for the post for the past fortnight and betting was suspended on him on Friday. His name had been linked with the job north of the border but it was always wishful thinking from Glasgow with Benitez locked in talks with Newcastle and also unlikely to want to take a job not in the Premier League.
Lennon helped Celtic to clinch a treble treble with a Scottish Cup final defeat of Hearts and club bosses said they wanted to “kill speculation” about who would be the next boss in the wake of the win.
“Neil in our moment of need stood up to the plate,” said the club’s chief executive Peter Lawwell.
“Over the next few days, we will work out the details.”
Lawwell said Lennon would have been offered the job whether Celtic had won the Scottish Cup final or not, saying “there’s no better candidate”.
“We’re absolutely delighted. Fantastic day, fantastic achievement today - probably never to be repeated.
“He’s done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. When you look at his credentials, he’s a Celtic man, he’s made for Celtic. He knows Glasgow, he knows the city, he knows what’s required and he’s a winner.
“At this point in terms of looking at the squad, there’s nobody better that I’ve worked with who’s got a better eye for a player.
“I think it’s better to do that (offer him the job) tonight to just kill the speculation.”
Another job Benitez has been linked with - Paris Saint Germain - is also unavailable after the Ligue 1 club agreed a new deal in the French capital.
