HIBERNIAN are moving closer to naming Neil Lennon as their new manager. The Northern Irishman met with Leeann Dempster, the Hibs chief executive, on Friday and is understood to be open to the prospect of succeeding Alan Stubbs in the Easter Road dug-out. The former Celtic manager was in the running for a Parkhead return last month before being pipped to the job by Brendan Rodgers, and is keen to get back into management after leaving Bolton Wanderers in March.
Lennon has a more lucrative offer on the table to work in China but would prefer a move closer to home, and is thought to be motivated by the challenge of leading Hibs back into the Premiership. Despite interest in Malky Mackay, Scot Gemmill and Paul Dickov, Lennon is the frontrunner for the vacancy and a decision could be made on the position in the coming days.
His appointment would be seen as a real coup for Dempster and director of football George Craig following the blow of losing Stubbs to Rotherham United just weeks after the Englishman had led the club to its first Scottish Cup triumph in 114 years. The move would also give Lennon the chance to restore his managerial reputation following a difficult spell at financially-stricken Bolton who were relegated to League One at the end of last season.
Hibs will be hoping the 44 year-old, set to cover Euro 2016 as a television pundit, could prove as effective as he was at Celtic with whom he won three successive Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups as well as leading the team into the last 16 of the Champions League on the back of a famous victory over Barcelona.
Lennon is thought to have been impressed with Dempster’s ambition and vision following their meeting although there are still details to be ironed out before any agreement can be finalised. Hibs are keen to have a manager in place sooner rather than later with the team due to return for pre-season training in mid-June ahead of their Europa League second qualifying round tie on July 14.
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