SOCCER:CELTIC'S NEW permanent manager Neil Lennon has confirmed his desire to bring Robbie Keane back to Parkhead.

The Republic of Ireland international spent the second half of the SPL campaign with the Glasgow club on loan from Tottenham.

Keane proved his quality in Scotland with 12 league goals from 16 appearances, form that impressed Lennon and won the Dubliner the player of the year award.

Lennon has now confirmed he is looking to thrash out a deal with Spurs to secure him permanently.

It has also been suggested that Lennon might have to report to the club’s board over signings, however, he has confirmed he will have the final say over fresh faces.

“I’d love to have Robbie Keane back here. It’ll be his decision,” said Lennon. “Financially it’ll be a big decision for us if we can pull it off.

“He was wonderful. He made a massive contribution. Not only on the field. He’s got those leadership qualities that I’m looking for. He has that quality that we’ve been lacking this year and a half or so.

“If it’s achievable then why not? It’s not the type of signing I need. I need to strengthen in all areas. If I can get that one extra special signing then I’d be delighted. If I can’t then I won’t be too disappointed because I have to build a team.”

Celtic chairman John Reid strenuously denied Giovanni Trapattoni or anyone else had been sounded out about the manager’s job at Parkhead before insisting Lennon was the only credible candidate.

Last month Republic of Ireland boss Trapattoni was quoted as saying: “It was not the Celtic chairman, but someone close to him, close to the club, a former player, who approached me three to four months ago and asked would I be interested in a position.”

But Reid yesterday said: “I’m not going to comment on any individuals other than to say this: no one with any authority from this club has spoken to or offered the job of manager to anyone.

“Indeed, no one has been spoken to about the job apart from Neil Lennon. I can give you that absolute assurance.”

In England, the Premier League’s biggest names are set to battle it out for Joe Cole’s signature this summer after it was confirmed the England midfielder will leave Chelsea.

The 28-year-old’s future had been the subject of increasing speculation and the London club announced yesterday morning his seven years at the club will come to an end this month after the two parties failed to agree a new deal.

In a day of departures, it was also revealed midfielder Michael Ballack and right back Juliano Belletti are also leaving Stamford Bridge.

Cole is currently in South Africa with the England squad and he remained tight-lipped about his future at a press conference yesterday.

He said: “I’m just focused on the World Cup at the moment, I’ll leave that sort of thing to my agent.

“My future will sort itself out. It’s been going on a while. It’s a story to be told another day.”

Cole has already been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp admitted he is interested in the former West Ham man.

Staying in London could well appeal to Cole, whose wage demands are believed to be a major reason for the breakdown in talks with Chelsea.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti had repeatedly stressed his desire to hang on to the midfielder but as negotiations dragged on it became increasingly likely he would leave.

Chelsea’s stance is also likely to have been influenced by Cole’s failure to hold down a regular starting spot this season.

Ballack leaves Chelsea after four years, with the club unwilling to offer the German the two-year contract he was reportedly seeking.

The 33-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Bayern Munich with a reputation as one of Europe’s best players and on the back of a brilliant World Cup. But he has largely failed to live up to that billing, with injuries keeping him out of the team for lengthy spells.

The latest of those, an ankle problem sustained in the FA Cup final win over Portsmouth last month, ruled the Germany captain out of the World Cup and he will continue to be treated at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground until his recovery is complete.

He is likely to receive offers from his homeland while a move to join Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid has also been mooted.

Ballack’s agent, Michael Becker, yesterday claimed the player, who is on holiday in Miami, was “completely surprised” by the news.

“He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months,” added Becker.

His agent said the player would have been willing to take a pay cut to stay with Chelsea.