Celtic next manager odds sees Frank Lampard in contention after Chelsea sacking but Rafael Benitez is the bookies favourite

Frank Lampard has emerged as third favourite to be become Celtic’s next permanent just minutes after his sacking from Chelsea was confirmed.

The Blues legend was relieved of his duties on Monday following a bad run of results, however, he may not be out of work for long.

Things aren’t going to plan for Chelsea this season but it’s been a disaster for Celtic as they set out to complete what would be an historic ten-in-a-row.

Things haven’t been going well on and off the pitch with manager Neil Lennon under plenty of pressure.

On the pitch, they’ve faltered in both the Champions League and Europa League and find their bid to win a tenth straight Scottish Premiership title in tatters as they’re trail fierce rivals Rangers by 23 points.

They can cut that down to 14 if they win their three games in hand but it still remains a tall order to overhaul the gap to Steven Gerrard’s side.

And off it they’ve landed themselves in a war of words with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after deciding to go on a warm weather training trip to Dubai as the UK begun the battle against the new coronavirus variant.

The trip ended up being a disaster as Christopher Jullien tested positive for COVID, causing a number of first-team players as well as manager Neil Lennon to miss their first two matches back in Scotland – both of which finished in draws.

Changes are needed at Parkhead with former Hoops striker John Hartson saying relieving former teammate Lennon of his duties would be the best course of action.

Hartson said: “I am a pundit but I care like the fans care, I am a Celtic supporter and ex-player and it is just very disappointing to see how this season has so fizzled out. I think a change is needed.

“I send Neil best wishes and good luck when he needs it but to lose the league in such a big, big season in the way they have, has been so disappointing.

“Not just me, look at [former teammates] Chris Sutton, Stan Petrov, Alan Thompson and Henrik Larsson, we all love Neil and want him to succeed and we were all delighted when he brought home the quadruple treble but I do genuinely think, with the situation in the league, a change is needed from the bottom to the top, I really do.

“The whole thing needs to be changed and it needs to happen pretty soon.

“Maybe the players need a different voice. Neil might want a new challenge, a fresh start. Sometimes it doesn’t work, Neil is intelligent enough, he has to see this.

“It has taken me this long to say I would like to see a change, new staff, a freshness, something different. Neil has done amazing. His trophy haul has been fantastic both as a player and a manager.

“I just think the club need to say that they are going to change the manager, whether he goes at the end of the season or now, it is tough call for me to say it but I think it needs to be done. The time has come.”

A number of interesting names have been tipped for the Celtic job if Hartson’s wish is indeed granted, with Lampard the latest name to be linked.

Betfair reveal he’s third favourite to be given the Parkhead post, with odds at 6/1.

Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was the overwhelming favourite to be the next permanent Hoops boss last week, however, Rafael Benitez is the most likely candidate – the ex-Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle boss having recently left his position in China.

Just behind Benitez, Howe and Lampard is John Kennedy (8/1), who is the current assistant at Celtic.

Jack Ross (14/1), the former Sunderland boss who is currently at Hibernian, is also said to be in the running, as is Roy Keane.

The Manchester United legend and former Celtic player is also 14/1, while Gordon Strachan is an outsider.