Lennon to pursue career in coaching

Lennon, who turns 36 in June, will leave the SPL champions after the Tennent's Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline at Hampden on May 26.

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After gathering 10 winner's medals and leading Celtic to the last 16 of the Champions League, the veteran midfielder has called time on a controversial career in Scotland.

And he wants to follow the path of former Celtic team-mates Roy Keane and Paul Lambert by heading south for a coaching or management post next season.

Indeed, Sportsmail understands Keane has been in touch with a view to taking Lennon to Sunderland in a player-coach capacity.

"Having been with the club for so long, it will be a real wrench to leave," Lennon said. "But I have thought long and hard about this decision and I believe it is the right one."

This season has been particularly pleasing, having won the championship, reached the Scottish Cup Final and making it to the last 16 of the Champions League.

"It was a boyhood dream to play for the club I loved and I am very proud to have achieved this and played for Celtic for so many years. When Gordon Strachan made me captain, I was extremely honoured."

Lennon met Strachan on Tuesday to inform him of his plans and broke the news of his imminent departure to team-mates later in the day.

Having sealed the fifth title of his Celtic career on his 300th appearance for the club last weekend, the man who cost £6million from Leicester City in 2000 has only five games left for the club.

Vice-captain Stephen McManus is favourite to take the armband on a permanent basis from the start of next season, with Lennon set to study for more UEFA coaching badges during the close-season.

"I have enjoyed my time at the club immensely," added Lennon, who has become the first Celtic player in a generation to win five championships.

"I have worked with two fantastic managers in Gordon and Martin O'Neill. I have enjoyed working with some quality players and had a great relationship with the Celtic board and all of the staff.

"I would also like to thank the Celtic fans for the support they have given me.

"I look forward to joining my team-mates and the manager in lifting the SPL trophy on Sunday. Great credit should go to him and his staff for all they have done in the last two years.

"We still have a good bit to do before the end of the season and I will be doing all I can to make sure we bring the Scottish Cup back to Celtic Park."

Sunderland, Crystal Palace and former club Leicester City have all inquired about Lennon in the past 18 months, with the latter named currently in the market for a new manager.

"Neil has decided to end his time with Celtic and he feels this is the best time to move on," the player's representative, Martin Reilly, said.

Leicester owner Milan Mandaric told Sportsmail he will consider candidates for the managerial vacancy once the English Championship season concludes in 11 days' time.

"We are concentrating on gaining the one point we need to stay up," said Mandaric. "Only then will we look at the management issue.

"I don't want to get involved with individual names just now.

"I will concentrate on giving support to the caretaker manager (Nigel Worthington) for two games and only after that will I discuss the possibilities."