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Neil Lennon has resigned as Celtic manager, the Scottish Premiership club have announced.<\/p>\nNeil Lennon has resigned as Celtic manager, the Scottish Premiership club have announced.<\/p>\n
Lennon, who returned to the club for a second stint in charge after Brendan Rodgers left to take over at Leicester in February 2019, has been under pressure all season but had previously maintained he would not quit.<\/p>\n
The reigning champions are 18 points behind Rangers in the top flight and a defeat to Ross County on Sunday left their Glasgow rivals just seven points away from title.<\/p>\n
Lennon apologized for \u201cletting fans down again\u201d after the loss to Ross County left Celtic\u2019s bid to win a 10th consecutive title in disarray.<\/p>\n
The defeat also heightened the prospect of Rangers clinching the title at Parkhead on March 21.<\/p>\n
Since returning to the club, Lennon has led Celtic to two titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup.<\/p>\n
A club statement said: \u201cCeltic Football Club today announced that Neil Lennon has resigned from his position as football manager with immediate effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeil has served the club with distinction as both player and manager, delivering numerous successes, most recently completing the domestic treble in December.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn his second period as Celtic manager, he has achieved five trophy successes, to add to his three League titles and two Scottish Cup victories in his first period as manager.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lennon said in a statement: \u201cWe have experienced a difficult season due to so many factors and, of course, it is very frustrating and disappointing that we have not been able to hit the same heights as we did previously.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have worked as hard as ever to try and turn things around, but unfortunately we have not managed to get the kind of run going that we have needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always given my best to the club and have been proud to deliver silverware to the Celtic supporters. The club will always be part of me. I will always be a Celtic supporter myself and I will always want the best for Celtic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to thank so many people at the club who have given me so much and I would also like to thank my family for their love and support. I wish the Celtic supporters, players, staff and directors nothing but success for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: \u201cI would like to pay tribute to Neil for all he has done for the club in his second spell, delivering our eighth and ninth successive league titles, the quadruple treble and winning the last five available domestic trophies.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeil has always been and will always be a true Celtic man and someone I will always hold in the highest regard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have watched Neil fight many battles over many years, on and off the field, with a courage and tenacity few could match. Even this season, he has fought so hard and worked tirelessly to turn things around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this season has not progressed as we would have liked, it cannot diminish the character or integrity of a man who has given the club so much.<\/p>\n
\u201cPersonally, it is a sad day for me to see Neil leave the club. Neil is a man of quality and decency, he is someone who will always be part of the fabric of Celtic and someone who will always be welcomed at Celtic Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of everyone at the club, and personally, I would like to thank Neil for his work as our manager and I wish him and his family good health and continued success in everything they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic\u2019s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond added: \u201cNeil is a Celtic legend both as a player and manager. He has given so much to the club, and with his success over the last number of years \u2013 including winning a treble in his own right \u2013 he will be very difficult to replace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Neil sincerely for all he has done for the club and we wish him every success going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n