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Celtic ‘hold talks’ with shock German boss as Neil Lennon nears exit
CELTIC have reportedly held talks with ex-Nurnberg boss Michael Kollner, as Neil Lennon gets set to leave the club this summer.
Celtic: It’s a privilege to work with the players says Neil Lennon
Celtic have been actively pursuing a replacement for Neil Lennon in recent months as they refuse to offer the Northern Irishman a permanent deal.
Lennon may have won nine of his 13 games since replacing Brendan Rodgers in February, but he is unlikely to remain at the club next season.
Michael Kollner was sacked by Nurnberg back in February, with his former side finishing the season bottom of the Bundesliga.
According to German outlet Bild, the 49-year-old has held talks with both the Scottish champions and Swansea City, but he refused to comment on the links.
Despite Lennon’s future hanging in the balance, the 47-year-old is adamant that he will be in management next season - but it might not be in Scotland.
“I want to manage,” said Lennon ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
“Take a holiday first and then have a look at things and see what's there.
“I've really enjoyed the last three years being back in Scotland. I've had some great success both at Hibs and Celtic.
“I've enjoyed it immensely and it's been really good for me so if it's not to be Celtic then I'm hoping for a new challenge somewhere else.
“I would love it [if I stayed on at Celtic]. It's a privileged position, I've done it before.”
When asked about the discontented around the club in recent weeks, Lennon backed the job he has done this season with a team that ‘isn’t his’.
He added: “It's not my side, it's Brendan's and it's not my style of play, it's Brendan’s.
“People saying, 'well the performances aren't the same', well they are. If I had gone in there and changed things and it hadn't worked, then I would've been making a huge mistake.
“It was important to get the players over the line, win the league.
“The training, everything, we kept the same. You've got to put the players first.
“It's an important piece of the club's history that they could achieve here.”