How well do we handle succession? Mostly very well. Back in the 90s Celtic stumbled from one manager to another, picking up whoever was available and prepared to pick up the inevitable poisoned chalice, without any perceivable strategy.
Wim Jansen came from nowhere, or Japan, to be geographically accurate, and was a success, but despite a legendary respect for Fergus McCann, this appointment looked like a stab in the dark. After Wim left, we had the seminal reign of John Barnes. Millions were spent, and wasted, before King Kenny held fort for the final few months of season 1999-2000.
The changes introduced by Martin O’Neill are still being felt. We had been rubbish for decades in Europe, hadn’t knocked out a team from the ‘big five leagues’ since Leeds United in 1970. We were conditioned to expect and accept defeat, but after Martin, the world would never be the same again.
Martin’s strategy was not without its flaws, for a start, it wasn’t sustainable. Celtic lost millions every season, despite competing in Champions League football for the first time, and the momentous matter………. Seville.
Gordon Strachan came with a remit to change the problems the club faced immediately before his arrival – bring spending down to meet income, win the league and make progress in the Champions League. Despite starting with one of the worst weeks in the clubs history, Gordon delivered.
There was a problem, though. A disconnect opened up that first week when Artmedia smacked five goals past David Marshall, which was never fully resolved. When we went back into the market, fixing this disconnect was high on the agenda. Who better than a popular former player who ‘invented’ the Celtic huddle.
Tony Mowbray ticked the boxes which Gordon Strachan showed little appetite for but he was miles off plan for Celtic. The first week in the job he asked to sign Marc-Antoine Fortune for close to £4m. I’m sure the proposition was a bolt out of the blue to the club. Expensive 28-year-old strikers with a low- scoring record was not on strategy. Having appointed Mowbray, the club had little choice but to back his maiden request, but I bet there was a raft of people at Lennoxtown who knew how this chapter in our story would end.
Neil Lennon was working as a coach at Celtic during the Mowbray era. He was close to the scouts, sports science people, fitness experts and chief executive. In other words, he was on plan. After the John Barnes ‘tried and tested rookie manager’ strategy, I didn’t want Neil, or any other debutant, but he was intelligent, tactically aware and experienced inside the Celtic system. Within no time, Neil was making headlines as a Champions League manager. The shine will quite rightly never fade from Martin’s halo, but I could make a case that Neil Lennon has been our best manager since the guy from Burnbank.
Notice the pattern?
We have a habit of appointing a manager to address the perceived deficiencies of the previous incumbent. Right now, the need for someone to connect with fans will be less pronounced than it was when Gordon Strachan left, the need for someone to work within budget is fundamental, but will not stress anyone.
Neil’s most glaring faults are a whole lot less glaring than any of his predecessors. This time, we should be looking for someone just like the previous guy:
A student of the game, who understands the tactical trends in the world game.
Intelligent.
On plan with club scouts, nutritionists, sports scientists, coaches, player trading policy and budget.
Order your SIGNED copy of Tommy Gemmell’s All the best from the (fabulous new) CQN Bookstore.
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Neil Lennon has guided Celtic on many memorable evenings in the Champions League. His next job may be quite the comedown.
The challenge had gone stale, Scottish football was in decline, and the scene was a poor imitation of the heady days of Martin O’Neill’s time at Parkhead, when Lennon led a lavish Celtic team in front of booming crowds in Glasgow’s east end.
“Time to get out,” on more than one occasion was Lennon’s refrain to those close to him. The day of decision loomed ever large. It would have been a miracle to me had Lennon lasted five years as Celtic manager – it just would not have fitted with his mindset.
No matter what success he had, managing Celtic became a thankless task in a depressed market.
For some of us, it was impossible to relay this Lennon sentiment, either in print or on air, without receiving a savaging from clumps of Celtic fans. About five months ago I got barraged one evening on BBC Radio Scotland for thinking aloud that Lennon may think it was time to leave Celtic.
“Rubbish, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” a caller told me. Another impassioned Celtic fan said I was havering, claiming that Lennon loved Celtic (which he does) and that he always spoke of how much he loved his job. How were we to conduct this debate properly without betraying the private Lennon? It was simply impossible.
Last Saturday Lennon confirmed to another intimate that he was leaving Celtic. This time, it really did seem that the curtain was coming down. How many months can pass, for anyone so unsettled, before it starts to affect their performance?
All that said, one of Neil Lennon’s real testaments was the devotion and ardour which he brought to his job. Some people used to think of Lennon as a feckless, even an undisciplined character, but as Celtic manager he put paid to most of these accusations.
Domestically, he brought a passion and attention to detail to Celtic’s every challenge against a St Mirren, a St Johnstone, a Ross County. In the Champions League – and it was a struggle sometimes just to get to that playground during a sweaty August – Lennon showed keen thought and planning which proved he was totally immersed in the ways of modern football.
During his tenure, his Celtic team played very well for 80 minutes in San Siro before a dire final 10-minute collapse against AC Milan. In Camp Nou, Lennon’s Celtic also cleverly thwarted Barcelona, before succumbing at the death.
In Glasgow, famously, Barca were crushed. In all of this and more Lennon strode into the lions’ den with courage and conviction, a measure of his worth to Celtic.
The problem he had was that the thunder never really did return to Celtic Park, as he had expressly wished. Champions League nights, everyone knows, are immense at Celtic, but the week-in, week-out stuff which Lennon faced became increasingly drab.
It may simply be the truth for every Celtic manager that a three or four-year span is about the limit of the job’s duration. Beyond that, as Lennon found, the stimulus is harder to find.
Lennon is 42 years old. He had a decision to make: to blindly tie himself to Celtic for life (or until he got sacked) or leave and place himself on the market for a different challenge, either in England or abroad.
He has courageously gone for the latter, without a new job lined up, and when there is already a number of proven managers – David Moyes, Owen Coyle, Alex McLeish and others – unemployed.
It is easy to say it now that Lennon needed change, that he has done the right thing. But will he get a decent gig? It is interesting how, in recent days, those who previously foresaw a career for Lennon somewhere in the flabby midriff of the Barclays Premier League, are now talking about “an ambitious Championship club” as his next starting point.
Ten months ago Lennon was being linked with Everton. Now a club such as Brighton might be his next port of call. Expectations are being scaled back as the thought dawns that Lennon may face an uncertain future.
He will be sorely missed in Scotland. Few football figures over the past 30 years have triggered such debate, such controversy and such national navel-gazing as Lennon.
Some of the bigotry he has faced has been an abomination. Among certain Rangers fans Lennon has become a hate-figure, in part rooted in the memory of the Celtic team he played for, which often enough did their own team in.
One of his enduring contradictions will remain the contrast in his public and private image. In these pages yesterday, Hugh MacDonald wrote perceptively: “Lennon was articulate, precise and enlightening in interviews.”
To the public Lennon is viewed as belligerent and aggressive and even nasty. Yet the Scottish football writers, almost as one, will tell you of this intelligent, affable guy who more often than not engaged them in many interesting conversations. Lennon’s public and private images make for a startling contrast.
My own belief is that his alleged anxiety over the budget at Celtic for the coming season – and this being a reason for his departure – is exaggerated.
Lennon has known from day one that Celtic’s finances are limited, and that the main financial players at the club, such as Dermot Desmond, simply will not pour money into Scottish football’s black hole. He has absolutely no illusions about that.
Instead, Lennon wanted out. He needed change. He desired a new environment in which to test himself. His next club, wherever it is, might be quite a climbdown.
He bows out of Celtic and Scotland with some smoke and debris in his wake. It has been an amazing experience.
Right Bhoys , been up since half 5.
The Managerial question is keeping my mind working in overdrive.
I have now settled on 2 candidates.
1. Henrik with Wim as his asst.
2. Michael Laudrup/ Morton Wieghorst.
Now that’s my mind made up I can hopefully calm down for a few days………………until Celtic send me into turmoil again by appointing Owen Coyle!!
Hail Hail
Mr David Moyes..Please stand up. Mr Owen Coyle you can take your seat again ..
Twists n Turns –
A wee gripe mate if you don’t mind. When you post these articles each morning, could you give the authors credit? Apart from common decency, I for one like to know whose work I am reading. That article about Neil Lennon, for example, was very enjoyable and insightful, and to my mind, the authorship of an article often has a great bearing on how I perceive the words I am reading. I am pretty sure I am not alone in that.
Thanks mate.
Well done the firefighters.
Twists n turns – that Spiers article contains a breathtaking paragraph…
“To the public Lennon is viewed as belligerent and aggressive and even nasty. Yet the Scottish football writers, almost as one, will tell you of this intelligent, affable guy who more often than not engaged them in many interesting conversations. Lennon’s public and private images make for a startling contrast.”
Not a feckin hint of irony……not a hint.
I have never commented on anyone else’s posts on here but Kitalba’s post at 05:41 hits the mark on all accounts. HH
Top of the morning to you all from a grey Fife.
I am off walking now and might be gone for quite some time. Sound familiar?
A full report on my full fried breakfast on return.
kitalba 05:41 on 24 May, 2014 BRTH: I read your response to Awe-naw (and unnamed others) with interest.
After breaking my fast I must read back and see what caused such a heart-felt and passionate response.
H.H.
GCT
Will do:-)
I cut and paste the article and often the name isn’t in the article content, but, I can add it in of course. Point taken.
That one was Graeme Spiers btw.
The debate on a new manager indicates that the majority of CQNrs will not be happy with the appointment unless Peter pulls of a surprise with a name not yet quoted
If that reflects the overall Celtic supports views … The new guy is gonna be less popular than ally Charlie and Craigy
TnT,
“My own belief is that his alleged anxiety over the budget at Celtic for the coming season – and this being a reason for his departure – is exaggerated.”
I can’t agree on that point. 4 years ago is a long enough time for any of us to develop our thinking and change our opinion .
I’d say this was the very main reason (especially now the story is going around that he left before Sevco XIII got (back) into the SPNFL). – The player budget wasn’t being managed with any strategy. It IS being ruled by the dail profit. Every penny banked asap. The risk of £7-10M for a windfall of c£25M is apparently not worth it. Not even when you have a dedicated manager in place such as Neil Lennon to further advance such fantastic odds.
Lenny saw this and how it affected his team each season in the last 4 years. (and would he be wrong to see it as a lack of faith in him from his “employers”? )
The rumours for the past year were known to pretty much all of us on the street apart from some deaf sycophants here on CQN. (I only know this from reading the Daily Record by the way it seems).
We have already had these messages here on CQN ( I paraphrase) – not quotes, but how it came across to me :
“You only blame the board because you read it in the Daily Record”.
“The board are playing it great. If they knew two weeks ago, then even better, for having the sense to delay the news until after SB renewal on the 23rd.”
and/or
“The board would never do that to us, prolong the announcement until the 23rd. They’re just waiting to announce Pepe after negotiating with him the past 6 months. Either way, it’s a great move.”
“Watch the board-haters come on and blame this on the board cannnae wait’s a square go if you come at me in numbers al cry and greet and that wull getme even more attentionthanever an makemecome back formore”.
“Same as the players, if he wants to downgrade to a Championship team like WBA in England, over Celtic, then fair enough, bye bye”. – I haven’t actually seen this point here on CQN, but I know it’s the way some of you think.
“This is up to Lenny – he knew what he was getting into regards the budget. He brought it on himself.”
“in other news related to Celtic Park, Neil Doncaster thanks un-named Celtic Directors for their help in negotiating another change to the SPFL TV broadcasting rights in a great move for the WHOLE of Scottish Football.”
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/celtic-ponder-hiring-director-of-football-to-aid-manager.24311444
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/22/celtic-henrik-larsson-talks-neil-lennon-resigns
Big Nan:
BRTH’s post is back on the 3rd or 4th last page of the last blog.
I’ve just noticed that I’ve screwed up my earlier post, somehow I’ve managed to overwrite a few paragraphs by a phantom copy and paste. That’s what happens when your mind is not on what you are doing.
Told yi Aboot that Uni. Mob.
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In pictures: Find out the Scottish universities where students have the most sex
May 23, 2014 14:37 By Dailyrecord.co.uk 2 Comments
ACCORDING to the national sex survey, students at Napier have an average of 7.35 sexual partners each – the 8th highest of anywhere in Britain.
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STUDENTS at Edinburgh Napier University have more sexual partners than those at any other Scottish university, according to a recent poll.
According to the national sex survey, students at Napier have an average of 7.35 sexual partners each – the 8th highest of anywhere in Britain – compared to those at the Capital’s Queen Margaret University who have slept with an average of 3.47 people.
Students at Dundee University ranked second highest in Scotland, with students apparently having had an average of 6.74 sexual partners each.
Meanwhile, those studying at University of the West of Scotland are apparently the most virtuous in Scotland – with an average of just 2.62 sexual partners per person.
The annual research figures, gathered by Student Beans, asked more than 6000 predominately female students across Britain about their sexual habits.
According to the research, more than half of students at universities across Britain admitted to having a one night stand since they began studying and 54 per cent said they regretted having sex with at least one person.
But one student at Dundee University – which ranked 11th on the nationwide list – said she didn’t regret any of the casual sex she’d had – even though she’s slept with over 60 people.
The girl, who asked to remain anonymous, said today: “I know some people regret casual sex, but I don’t.”If I hadn’t had those experiences I wouldn’t have got to know myself and others as well as I do now.”
Good morning friends from a dry but overcast, grey and chilly (for May) East Kilbride.
But after a long injury induced absence it’s back to the ole Glasgow Pollock 5K ParkRun for Jobo this morning. Fingers crossed (even whilst running).
Meanwhile, has big Malky (or his car) been seen near The Celtic Way yet?
TD
Any idea about how to go about applying to be a mature student?
Lilys
Tony
Your post about students certainly resonates with me. You have converted me re students…..first thing Monday morning I’m going to phone Napier…..to see if they take mature students:-))
Lily’s
Haha…great minds ….or simple minds:-))
tonydonnelly67:
Don’t you think that is a rather sick way to try to legitimise an unquantifiable bigotry of yours?
Tnt
Haha, bit of both Ill say!! ;)
lilys
Though I’m a bit confused about the numbers. 7.35 partners? How do you get .35 of a partner? Is that when you only……I’d better not:-)). I’ll apply for a math scholarship…..
Just had a look back at the Lions pic at airport pre flight to Lisbon….
Some time since I’ve seen TG in the flesh…. He does not look in good health.
Cesar’s problems well known.
Yogi looks like Darren Clarke!
HH
And people wonder why people don’t post much.. Jeeze.. TaTa
lilys grandpa
07:19 on 24 May, 2014
TD
Any idea about how to go about applying to be a mature student?
Lilys
………..
Apply for the janny’s job!
Desertbhoy
A wee aside re the lions
I only found out recently, that apparently, inter didn’t win a single corner in the final!
Alcoa… Don’t know what your problem is but all you’ve done is post sausages with no request for comment. Many others also read news now and probably read the articles.
Don’t lose heart (flounce) as I’ve been posting for a wee while now, am ignored all the time and….. DILIGAF!!
Alcora… Effin iPad!
Desertbhoy
Not got the same, je ne sais quoi, ;)
lilys
Twists… Yes, I noticed that when somebody posted the stats.. Didn’t have too many shots… Also saw a comment from Bugninch(sp) basically telling Sarti his efforts were in vain and what was the point in continuing to try and stem the tide.
KingcanuteCSC
Lily’s… But you get paid for it……
gigoloCSC
desertbhoy
Now your talking
lilys
Ps. on that note anyone tell you money doesnt make you happy, tell them to eff off, try it at the other end!!!
Oops.. Missed an L… DILLIGAF.
Aff tae Brum later, oan the train, oan the swally , oan a wet and dull setterday.
Better go get some porridge doon me tae line the stomach in case I get a dodgy pie later……
If I win the scoop 6, I’ll skip the train and get a taxi back……..
Lily’s… Agreed, but can you ever get enuff??
Wet underfoot, but mild and bright in the Chiltern this morning…
Hi Paul67,
Guess we have got pretty good at the old succession things – the Mowbray thing aside, though worth considering the amount of Cheating and Backroom fixing going on at that time by way of mitigation.
Always remember my dad telling me in the seventies that Celtic had never sacked a manager and only had four in their history it was the Celtic way.
Lenny was a Manager for the Club and pulled it together through the vitriol, both Club wise and of course personal – he comes out a stronger and better person for it IMO- which says a huge amount about his character.
I agree the next incumbent needs to be a Manager for the team – a student of Football would suit me fine.
Hail Hail
Twists…. Remember we’re halfers.
Good Morning Timland.
TnT…..the scoop 6, are you playing this week?