Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has claimed that he was close to becoming the next Ireland manager, but the FAI wanted someone with more international experience on their resume.
Lennon is one of a number of candidates who have been linked to the vacant role left by former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, and at one stage, Lennon was tipped to become Kenny's replacement, but the links became colder as the weeks passed.
The FAI has claimed this week that they plan to announce a new man in the role in early April, but contractual obligations won't allow them to say who it is until then.
Lennon, speaking to the Scottish Sun, admitted that rumours around him speaking to the FAI about the Ireland job were true, but the organisation wanted someone with more international experience on their football CV.
Lennon claimed: “I was close to the Ireland job, and I was disappointed to miss out on it. The feedback was positive, but they said they wanted to go with someone who had international experience.”
Neil Lennon, former manager of Celtic, (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)The former Celtic boss is currently without a job since leaving Cypriot side Omonia in 2022. Since then, he's mainly worked as a pundit.
A link to the Aberdeen job did come up, but Lennon claims that he could not take the role because of the Ireland interview process that he was a part of.
“I was linked with it last month, but, at the time, I was still involved with the process of the Ireland position, so I couldn’t really take it on, "he added. “I feel like I've got plenty left in me as a coach. I’ve done a lot in my career as a coach; I’ve achieved a lot, but there’s still more to do."
Lennon also admits that his best years are in front of him, and his achievements with the likes of Celtic are only the start of his coaching journey.
“At 52, my best years are in front of me in terms of experience, my achievements in the game, and what I’ve done and learned as a manager. I think there’s a perception of me that’s wrong. I’ve achieved a lot—titles, trebles, the Champions League. I went abroad, won a trophy, and got that team into the Europa League.”
Celtic play Livingston on Sunday at 14.30
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