Neil Lennon could be set for a surprise return to management after entering into talks with Romanian club Rapid Bucharest. 

The former Celtic boss has been out of work since October 2022 when he was axed from Omonia despite leading them to Cypriot Cup glory.

Ex-Hibs and Bolton manager Lennon was linked with the vacant posts at Republic of Ireland and Aberdeen, but Rapid have made him their main target to take charge after an attempt to land 78-year-old legendary boss Mircea Lucescu broke down.

It was initially reported Rapid had targeted another former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill earlier this week, but Lennon was the man on their shortlist.

And Lennon - who won five titles as a Celtic player and four in two spells as Hoops boss - is believed to be in talks with the ambitious Romanian club, who have lost seven of their eight games in their split in the league and have only two games left this season.

Rapid sports director Daniel Sandu said: "Moving forward, we have to figure out exactly what we're looking for and what we want from both the players and the new staff.

"At the moment we are not in a very good place, but I have faith the new management team will reset us and show what Rapid is all about."

READ MORE: Neil Lennon reveals Gordon Strachan's blunt response to Celtic exit admission

Lennon also won three Scottish Cups and a League Cup as a manager at Celtic and led Hibs to the Championship title seven years ago, and has always stressed a desire to return to the dugout in some capacity. 

Rapid Bucharest last won the Romanian title 23 years ago, but fell on hard times and went bankrupt in 2016 and had to reform in the fifth tier of football, before battling back and returning to the top flight three years ago.