Bolton probe Neil Lennon over claims he made knife threat to mistress after she threatened to expose their affair

Woman claims she had year-long affair with Lennon which turned sour
She reportedly discovered BBC pundit was seeing a third woman
Lennon ‘then made a threat that someone could put a knife to her throat’
Bolton have confirmed they are looking into reports about their manager
Championship club are in administration and winless since September

Published:
23:09 GMT, 20 December 2015

|
Updated:
19:48 GMT, 21 December 2015

View
comments

Bolton manager Neil Lennon was left clinging to his job on Sunday night after the club launched an internal investigation into claims he made a ‘knife threat’ to his mistress.

Lennon, 44, was claimed to have told a woman 20 years his junior someone ‘could’ put a knife to her throat if she went public with details of their year-long affair.

The relationship between the woman and the former Celtic boss, who has a long-term partner, was said to have turned sour after the mistress found out he was seeing a third woman.

BBC pundit Lennon has continually denied making the threat, the Sunday Mirror added, while his legal team say he has been the victim of a blackmail.

Bolton are looking into allegations by a Sunday newspaper into the private life of manager Neil Lennon

Zach Clough celebrates after scoring for Bolton, but the basement boys squandered a two-goal lead

He is said to have made a blackmail report to police, even though the woman had already told Lennon’s partner Irene McCloy, about the affair.

The newspaper reports that he started seeing his mistress at a pub. He is said to have invited her to stay at Bolton’s team hotel the night before match days.

But on the night before Bolton’s 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in September, she says she discovered a text saying ‘Morning xxx’ on his phone and he admitted going on dates with another woman.

A month later they had a row in which the mistress threatened to tell his partner the truth.

She then claims he told her someone ‘could’ hold a knife against her throat in the event of her speaking out – an accusation he has repeatedly denied.

The woman told the newspaper: ‘Neil Lennon’s ruined my life. He told me he loved me and made me feel part of his life.

‘But just like he has cheated on Irene, he was doing the same to me. When I found out, he became a monster.

The mistress of football manager Neil Lennon (pictured) has said she feared for her life and claims he made a ‘knife threat’ towards her after she said she would expose their affair

The 44-year-old Bolton Wanderers manager (pictured) and BBC pundit had a 12-month affair with a woman 20 years younger than him, it has been reported

Championship club Bolton — in deep financial difficulties and without a win since September — confirmed that they are looking into the reports andSportsmail understands their manager faces the axe should he be found guilty.

‘In response to an article published in the Sunday Mirror on Sunday December 20, Bolton Wanderers can confirm that the club are currently conducting an internal investigation regarding the matter concerned,’ a statement on the club’s website read. ‘The club will be making no further comment at this moment.’

Lennon’s side are marooned at the foot of the Championship and blew a lead to draw 2-2 with Fulham on Saturday.

Bolton’s players hope finally to get paid before the end of the month, as the club’s board try desperately to find a suitable buyer.

There remain a number of parties interested in buying out owner Eddie Davies — and he is willing to wipe out debts of £185million.

Northern Irishman Lennon managed Celtic between 2010 and last year when he left in May. He was a BBC pundit for the 2014 World Cup and then took the Bolton job in October 2014.