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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

Neil Lennon sounded out by St Pat's over managerial vacancy

Neil Lennon was sounded out by St Patrick’s Athletic over their vacant managerial position.

But despite the Saints’ interest in luring him to the League of Ireland, Lennon has ruled out taking the job.

Mirror Sport understands the former Celtic boss was approached earlier this month, just after St Pat’s parted ways with Tim Clancy.

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Lennon has been out of management since he was axed by Cypriot outfit Omonia Nicosia last October.

He is currently in contention for the Olympiacos job in Greece, with reports claiming he is on a three-man shortlist.

And Lennon - who won five SPL titles as Celtic boss - has also been linked with his former club Leicester City, next season.

Jon Daly remains in interim charge of St Pat’s going into tonight’s derby clash away to Shelbourne - and wants the job on a full-time basis.

Clancy’s former assistant has been at the helm for the last three games, overseeing wins against Cork City and Drogheda United before a 3-2 defeat at Shamrock Rovers.

After that defeat in Tallaght, Daly - the former Rangers striker - called on the club for clarity over his position.

St. Patrick's Athletic Interim Manager Jon Daly (©INPHO/Ben Brady)

Saints chiefs have moved on since sounding out Lennon for the Richmond Park vacancy, and continue to assess a select list of other candidates.

Daly is still a contender for the job and, ahead of tonight’s clash with Shels, he told Mirror Sport: “To be fair to the chairman, he said it wouldn’t be drawn out.

“It’s been two, nearly three weeks, and I’d imagine in the next week or 10 days it’ll be getting to the stage where they know what they want to do.

“That will be good for myself and the players as we’ll know where we’re at.

“My family are in Scotland, so if it’s a case of me moving on then I’ll go back to Scotland and maybe look for something over there.”

Daly added: “I’ve spent the last two-and-half or three years away from home, in Finland and Ireland, trying to develop myself as a coach in different leagues.

“If I don’t take the next step into management then it’s probably at that stage where I need to go closer to home, be around my family more and look for something there.”

St Pat’s midfielder Jamie Lennon insists the managerial uncertainty is not a distraction for the players as they target a derby win.

Lennon - who made his 150th appearance for the club against Rovers on Monday, said: “These decisions are made at board level and it’s nothing to do with us as players.

“We just have to be as professional as possible and do our best for whoever is in the job and we’re trying as hard as we can for Jon.”

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