Neil Lennon has been appointed as Dougie Freedman’s successor at Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a three-year contract.
The 43-year-old had been out of management for nearly five months after a four-year spell with Scottish giants Celtic, with whom he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two domestic cups.
He will work at The Macron Stadium with Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker, his assistant manager and first-team coach respectively from his time in charge of Celtic.
A statement on the club’s official website said: “The club are delighted and excited to appoint Neil Lennon.
“He brings with him experience at the highest level and an infectious enthusiasm to take the club forward.
“The extensive list of high-calibre applicants demonstrated how those candidates viewed the opportunity to manage the club, even in its position at the bottom of the Championship table.
“Following a process of first and second interviews with a shortlist of initial candidates, a unanimous decision was taken [to appoint Lennon].”
In the week since Freedman’s departure, Trotters owner Eddie Davies and chairman Phil Gartside are thought to have spoken to managers such as Tony Mowbray, Steve Clarke and Chris Hughton.
However, it is the Northern Irishman, who last month declared his interest in the then-vacant jobs at fellow Championship sides Cardiff City and Fulham, who has been chosen.
Lennon arrives with the club in a desperate state, rooted to the bottom of the Championship table and five points from safety with just five points from 11 games.
Lennon will kick-off his Bolton career with a crucial match away at fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
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