NEIL LENNON is on the brink of returning to football management after Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad confirmed they were in advanced talks with the former Celtic boss.

The Northern Irishman has been out of work since quitting the Hoops at the end of last season - despite a host of jobs being available in England.

And it looks like Lennon is ready to end his various media commitments to move to the Middle East for a lucrative deal with the ambitious Jeddah-based Saudi outfit.

The club's president, Ibrahem Al-Balawi, said: "Quite simply, we are looking for the best possible manager for our club. We want a world-class coach and are in talks with candidates.

"With regards to the speculation with Neil Lennon, we won't be making a comment until any deal is formally concluded."

But reports in Saudi say Lennon has beaten off competition from former River Plate boss Ramon Diaz and current Romania manager Victor Piturca to land the mega-bucks post.

Al-Ittihad have been in decline for some time now and last won the Saudi Premier League five years ago and the Asian Champions League in 2005.

They could only finish sixth last season and axed previous manager Khalid Al Koroni after a Champions League quarter-final hammering to United Arab Emirates' Al Ain.

Lennon won eight Premier League titles with Celtic - five as a player and three as a manager - and achieved considerable success in Europe.

Now he could be set for a new role with Al-Ittihad, who play at the 60,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.