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PAOLO DI CANIO wants to return to Celtic as manager.

Record Sport can reveal the 45-year-old Italian would jump at an approach from Celtic to make a comeback as Neil Lennon’s successor 14 years after leaving Glasgow as a player.

And another former Celtic star, Morten Wieghorst, has also stated he is interested in a return to Paradise as the club’s new boss

Di Canio is ready to return to management having taken a break following his departure from Sunderland last year.

Di Canio was axed from the Stadium of Light in September just six months after taking charge but has been the subject of approaches from clubs since leaving England.

Di Canio is waiting for the right opportunity and Celtic would represent it.

The Italian declined to speak specifically about Celtic last night but agent Matteo Roggi said: “Paolo confirmed to me he would love to work for Celtic.”

Di Canio’s UK-based adviser Phil Spencer said: “Paolo wants to get back into management and would seriously consider an approach by Celtic if there was interest.

“Paolo enjoyed his time at Celtic and the supporters loved him.”

(Image: D Legakis Photo/Athena Pictures)

Di Canio is ready for a return to a hotseat and said: “In two years of my career, I only had a successful period, so that proved my philosophy, in general, is the right one.

“I’m available and I’m ready. I’ve had time to think about what’s happened in the past. I have a more positive opinion about my philosophy.”

Ex-Celtic and Denmark midfielder Wieghorst said yesterday he would be “honoured” if the Scottish champions offered him the chance to replace Lennon.

The 43-year-old was manager of Nordsjaelland for five years, guiding them to back-to-back Danish Cup successes in 2010 and 2011 before his reputation for developing young players saw him headhunted by the Danish FA to take charge of Denmark’s Under-21 side, although the Nordsjaelland team he left behind went on to win the title and entered the Champions League.

Wieghorst was then recruited by Michael Laudrup to become assistant manager at Swansea, enjoying a League Cup triumph and a Europa League campaign in which they beat Valencia 3-0.

Wieghorst was touted as a successor to Laudrup but then Swansea sacked Laudrup last February, with Wieghorst also axed.

The Dane said: “I am honoured to be mentioned in connection with Celtic. It is a massive club and I would be interested if I got a call.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, who was in Lisbon over the weekend for the Champions League Final, is currently drawing up a list of candidates.

Davie Moyes and Malky Mackay are understood to be at the top of the wish list, with the latter, who left Cardiff earlier this year after steering them to the top flight, believed more likely to be receptive to an offer.

However, the likes of Roy Keane, Owen Coyle, Jackie McNamara, Steve Clarke and former Brighton boss Oscar Garcia are among a host of other names in the running also.

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