Neil Lennon is being considered as manager of Sunderland, according to Sky Sports. The Irishman who left his last role last year, faces competition from Roy Keane but he is on the Sunderland shortlist as they look to finally end their stay in EFL League One.
The report says that the Sunderland hierarchy are impressed with ex-Man Utd and Celtic midfielder Keane, having interviewed him on Friday but they are considering Lennon along with veteran Neil Warnock and Alex Neil.
Lennon recently said that the job was appealing but he would face stiff competition for the gig, given how many managers are out of work.
The transformation in recent months from Lennon’s Celtic team to the current team under Ange Postecoglou is staggering. Sunderland may look at this when making their decision but equally, Keane hasn’t been in a No.1 role for quite some time. His last role was with Ipswich, where he was sacked in 2011 but in the intervening time, he served as No.2s with Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Lennon was fortune to be reappointed a second time but managed to seal some impressive results during his second tenure as Celtic matched their own record of 9IAR. His attempts to win 10IAR ended in disaster as he vacated the role in February, with the League all but mathematically lost.
Supporters rightly felt aggrieved with the way things transpired last year, especially with Lennon’s seeming reluctance to step aside even though the season was destined for failure. With that said, Lennon won ten titles with Celtic, eight Scottish Cups and three league cups in two spells as manager and as a player. He will always be a Celtic legend but it was clear that his time as manager was up. Lennon will be recognised for all that he has done for the club but it may take some time as last season has been incredibly tough for everyone involved.
The feel good factor is back at Celtic under Ange and Lennon is looking for his next move as a manager, best of luck to him.
