Neil Lennon Named New Rapid Bucharest Manager
- Lennon has signed a two-year contract with the club
- He believes Rapid Bucharest fans are just as passionate as Celtic supporters
Celtic legend and Football Careers client Neil Lennon has been appointed head coach of Romanian side Rapid Bucharest.
A combative midfielder in his heyday, the 52-year-old had a 22-year playing career in which he turned out for sides such as Manchester City, Leicester City and most notably Celtic. During his playing career, Lennon won the English League Cup twice with Leicester City, along with five Scottish Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups with Celtic.
Upon his retirement from professional football in 2008, the Northern Ireland international took on a coaching role at Celtic before being given the manager’s job in 2010 following Tony Mowbray’s departure from the club. Across two highly successful spells in charge at Celtic Park, initially from 2010 to 2014 and then again from 2019 to 2021, Lennon and his side won the Scottish Premier League five times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup once.
On top of his managerial spells at Celtic, Lennon has also managed Bolton Wanderers, Hibernian, where he won the Scottish Championship, and AC Omonia, which he left in 2022. After a two-year sabbatical from football, the 52-year-old was offered the Rapid Bucharest job on a two-year contract.
Upon joining the club Lennon said: “I am very happy to be here, I know that Rapid is a very important name in the history of Romanian football. It’s an opportunity for me.
“I hope to create a strong connection between myself and the fans, but that comes with getting positive results and performing. It is my responsibility. I know they are very passionate supporters who love the club. They are similar to Celtic fans.”
Here at Football Careers, we congratulate Neil on his recent appointment and wish him all the best for the next season.