Neil Lennon has explained why he turned down multiple job offers in Scotland including holding "brief" talks with Aberdeen and Hibernian before opting to manage overseas once again.
The former Celtic gaffer had been out of work since leaving Omonia Nicosia in October 2022. He had kept occupied with many media appearances but was finally lured back into management last month as he was appointed head coach of Romanian outfit, Rapid Bucharest.
Lennon, 52, had been strongly linked with a return to Hibs, while Aberdeen, who subsequently named Jimmy Thelin as their new boss, were another destination the Northern Irishman was touted for.
He admits the speculation closer to home was "flattering", however he's relishing the opportunity to broaden his horizons and take advantage of a "far better option".
"I was really impressed by what he had to say," Lennon confessed. "I've since been to Bucharest, looking at the stadium and the facilities. It's a club that's on the up. All of Romanian football is on the up at the moment. The national team are at the Euros.
"The infrastructure is improving all the time, there are good coaches and good competition. On paper, you think 'no', but in practice when you go and look you think, 'this has huge potential'. I've done a lot in Scotland and this is an opportunity to broaden my horizons. I loved my time in Cyprus and I'm hoping I love it in Romania.
"I was offered jobs (in Scotland) last summer and I turned them down because they weren't right. I felt I could work at a better level. This is a far better option.
"I had a brief conversation with Aberdeen in March or April, but that's all it was. With Hibs there was a lot of speculation, which is flattering. Again, a brief conversation but nothing materialised.
"It's a different club from the one I worked at. Different owners. Would I have gone back? I don't know. I loved my time there but it's never the same the second time. I learned that at Celtic."
