“I was treated very bad. That’s UNPROFESSIONAL” – Celtic former manager speaks out to the media, reveals how he was treated ‘badly’ and then, SACKED. He says he wants to return as a manager IMMEDIATELY.

Former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon has expressed his frustration over his treatment by the media after being sacked from his latest managerial role at Rapid Bucharest. Lennon, who has a storied history with Celtic both as a player and manager, is eager to return to football and has no plans to take a break despite the recent setback.

A Brief Stint in Romania

Lennon’s most recent managerial role saw him take charge of Rapid Bucharest in Romania during the summer of 2024. However, his tenure was cut short after just six games, with the club deciding to part ways with him early in the season. This marks a challenging chapter in Lennon’s career, but he remains undeterred in his desire to get back into management as soon as possible.

Speaking to Romanian sports outlet Sport pe Surse, Lennon voiced his displeasure with how he was treated, particularly by members of the media. He suggested that certain journalists in Romania acted unprofessionally during his time at the club, though he refrained from going into full detail. “I will speak fully when the time is right. But we were treated very badly by certain people in the Romanian media. You know who I’m talking about,” Lennon said, expressing his frustrations.

Determined to Return

Despite the disappointment of his recent sacking, Lennon is adamant that he is ready to return to football management without delay. When asked whether he needed a break from the sport, Lennon firmly replied, “No, I don’t need a break. I want to return to coaching as soon as possible.”

Lennon’s resilience and determination have been key features of his career. He has faced various challenges in his managerial journey, yet he remains eager to take on new opportunities and get back into the dugout.

A Storied Managerial Career

Lennon’s managerial career began at Celtic in 2010, where he stayed for four years during his first stint. He led the club to numerous successes, including multiple Scottish Premiership titles and domestic cup victories. His leadership during this period earned him significant recognition, and he became a well-respected figure in Scottish football.

After leaving Celtic in 2014, Lennon ventured south of the border to manage Bolton Wanderers. His time at the English club was short-lived, lasting just under 18 months before he left in 2016. Despite the challenges at Bolton, Lennon’s reputation as a capable manager remained intact, and he was soon appointed as the manager of Hibernian (Hibs) in the summer of 2016.

At Hibs, Lennon once again demonstrated his managerial acumen. He guided the club to promotion from the Scottish Championship to the Scottish Premiership and secured a spot in the Europa League qualifiers. His successful tenure at Hibs came to an end in 2019, after which he made a return to Celtic for a second spell as manager.

Second Spell at Celtic

Lennon’s second stint at Celtic was marked by both triumphs and challenges. He led the club to several more trophies, including domestic league titles and cups. However, his tenure came to an end in 2021, following a difficult season in which Celtic failed to secure the league title. Despite the ups and downs, Lennon’s overall contribution to the club’s success is undeniable. Over his managerial career at Celtic, he won 10 league trophies combined as a player and manager.