Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon appointed new Rapid Bucharest manager

Neil Lennon has completed a move to Romania to become head coach of Rapid Bucharest.

The former Celtic player and manager, who spent 14 years at Parkhead over three spells with the club, was announced by the SuperLiga side on Monday.

Rapid finished sixth in the Romanian top flight following their final match on Sunday.

Lennon, who also had a spell in charge of Hibernian, won 12 major honours as a Celtic player between 2000 and 2007 and another ten as manager between 2010-2014 and 2019-2021.

The 52-year-old remains the last manager to guide any Scottish side into the last-16 of the Champions League when he reached that stage with the Hoops in 2012.

After managing Celtic to their eighth and ninth league titles in a row and the completion of a quadruple treble he was dismissed during their bid for ten in a row when Rangers ran away with the Premiership title.

He also won the Scottish Championship with Hibernian and the Cypriot Cup during his last foray into management with Omonia Nicosia.

After recently being linked with a string of jobs including Republic of Ireland and Aberdeen he has now returned to the dugout after an 18-month hiatus.

In his first interview with his new club he likened their support to the Celtic fans in terms of passion and love for the club.

He said: “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.”

Co-owner Dan Sucu believes the arrival of Lennon will bring new discipline to the team.

“He comes from a soccer culture, the Anglo-Saxon one, based on seriousness, work, success,” he said on the club’s website. “A culture where decisions, once made, are no longer commented on or negotiated, but simply implemented.

“A coach with exceptional results, experienced but still young, energetic, very authoritative, a true leader.

“I am convinced that we will no longer have players who demonstrate their speed at three in the morning from the disco or on the ski slopes, or who show up to the team with extra pounds than the optimal weight.

“I am also convinced that next season the physical preparation, commitment and determination of our team will be at a significantly increased level compared to the season just ended.”