Celtic hero Larsson favourtie to replace outgoing Lennon

Celtic legend Henrik Larsson is the favourite to take the reins at Celtic Park after the announcement that Neil Lennon has parted company with the club after four years at the helm.

Ladbrokes have installed the former Bhoys striker, who is currently in charge of Swedish outfit Falkenbergs, as the 2/1 favourite to take over at the Scottish champions.

While the Swede would be seen as a surprise choice to take over from Lennon, who is 4/1 to be the next West Brom manager, he would be a very popular choice with the Celtic fans having scored 242 goals in his seven-year spell in Glasgow.

Behind the market leader, former Manchester United manager David Moyes, who started his senior career with the Bhoys, has also been talked up as a potential candidate and can be backed at odds of 11/4.

After a successful season in charge of Dundee United, in which he led them to the Scottish Cup final, former Bhoys star Jackie McNamara is 8/1 to make the journey from Tannadice Park to Celtic, while Owen Coyle is 3/1.

Ladbrokes have also seen a flood of money in support of former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay with his odds slashed accordingly from 12/1 to 7/1.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert, who made 193 appearances for the club, is 8/1 with the bookmaker to be the next man in the Celtic Park dugout.

Paolo Di Canio, who spent one season in Scotland with Celtic, recently declared he is ready to return to football and is priced at 20/1.

Whoever has to follow in the footsteps of Lennon, who won three league titles and two Scottish cups in his time as manager, will be expected to defend the SPFL title with Celtic the overwhelming 1/40 favourties to win a fourth straight top-flight crown.

And Ladbrokes’ Alex Donohue expects it to be Larsson who bags silverware in his first season in charge.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “Larsson is all the rage to replace Lennon. The market suggests a legend will return to Celtic Park to lift plenty of silverware in his first season.”

Ladbrokes latest betting:

Next Celtic manager – 2/1 Henrik Larsson, 11/4 David Moyes, 3/1 Owen Coyle, 6/1 Jackie McNamara, 7/1 Malky Mackay, 8/1 Paul Lambert, 12/1 Steve Clarke, 16/1 Uwe Rosler, 20/1 Paolo Di Canio, 20/1 Johan Mjallby, 20/1 Chris Hughton. Others available on request.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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