Lennon parts company with Celtic

Neil Lennon has parted company with Celtic after more than four years in charge of the Scottish Premiership champions.

The former Parkhead midfielder replaced Tony Mowbray in March 2010 and has led the club to three successive titles.

Lennon also guided Celtic to two Scottish Cups and steered them into the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012/13 following a memorable victory over Barcelona.

He was the second-longest serving current manager in Scotland, with only Dick Campbell at Forfar having been in his post for longer.

Lennon told the club website: "It was an absolute honour to play for this great club, to captain the team and to become Celtic manager, a position which I cherished dearly. However, I feel the time is now right to move on to a new challenge.

“I would like to send my sincere thanks and best wishes to Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker who have supported me magnificently, to all the players and staff at the club who I have worked with over so many years and, of course, to our magnificent supporters who have been with me through everything. I would also like to thank Dermot (Desmond), Peter (Lawwell) and the Club’s Board of Directors for their support.”

“I will now assist the club in appointing my successor. As ever, we will need our fans’ support and I am sure they will give the Club and the new Manager the same great backing which they gave to myself.”

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “I would like to thank Neil for everything he has done for Celtic. When we appointed Neil as manager we did so knowing exactly what the club meant to him and knowing that he would give all he had to the job.

"He has delivered great success to our supporters domestically and has brought us back to the table in European football. He will always be part of the Club and we wish Neil and his family nothing but success in the future."