Neil Lennon has finally spoken out about not being able to bring in his own backroom staff during his second stint managing Celtic.
First time around the Irishman had the backing of Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby and Gary Parker but when he got the job again in 2019 he wasn’t trusted to bring in any of his own men.
John Kennedy and Damien Duff were his assistants, even after winning a Treble he had Gavin Strachan imposed on him when Duff returned to Dublin.
Lennon never made any public complaint about those conditions but after walking out on Celtic in February he has chosen to highlight that issue as he waits by the phone for another job in management.
Apparently he would like to work in Europe or the USA but the lower reaches of the English game seem more likely after being linked with the vacancy at Salford City.
Speaking to The Times, Lennon said:
You get the itch. I love football, I love watching it. I think I have a lot to offer if I can get my own staff in. It was difficult going into Celtic without anyone and inheriting a staff. It was challenging to make that work and we did. For 18 months it worked perfectly.
I think it’s always important to have someone with the same sort of philosophies and ideas as you. John Kennedy was very, very good but the whole staff side of it was inherited. And I went in at a really, really delicate time after Brendan [Rodgers].
I’ve had a brilliant time in Glasgow but I want a new challenge. I’ve been a mainstay in Scottish football for a long time, since 2000 really. I’ve had an amazing time. Very, very successful, but it’s exhausted my avenues in Scotland now I think.
I’ll be looking for something to stimulate me again. I’m at an interesting point in life, coming up to that marker and then there is another new life ahead.
Lennon has been working for BBC and Sky Sports since quitting as Celtic manager in February.