...well, two of them. Martin O'Neill & Neil Lennon.
Now our own managers situation (hopefully) has calmed down. Id love to know what everyones perspective is on these two former legends, in their current role?
With MON, he is, and always will be, a hero and god at our club for what he did. For me, what he did at our club and after at Celtic and Villa (to some degree) puts him up there with the most talented managers ever to have ever graced the game. I mean that! He had the ability to see something in players that not many others (even the players themselves) didnt see, and be able to bring it out of them, fulfil their potential. Thats what makes a top manager. However, I cant help but wonder where he stands after the Sunderland situation? 10 years ago he could have had a choice of clubs to go to, ones who were playing in europe. Now? Im not sure....has he peaked and now on the downwards? Not even a decent rumour for the Everton job, youve got to wonder wheres next for him.
As for Neil Lennon, its a different question - at the start of his managerial career (respective to MON) but hardly starting at the bottom of the ladder with Celtic, but simply - do you think he is a good manager? He quite possibly has the easiest job in european domestic football since the downfall of Rangers, but with not alot of competition at home the Celtic board might start expecting too much in europe. If he doesnt match the high expectations it wouldnt be fair to judge him on this.
I've kept opinion low in this article because I genuinely want to know everyones opinions on these topics, so 2 questions;
1. Where does MON stand on the managerial ladder after Sunderland and does he still have the magic he had those 13-15 years ago?
2. With nothing comparable at home to judge on, what is your opinion of NL as a manager?
The state of legends
posted on 29/5/13
p.s. apologies for the poor quality of writing in the article. These days I only get a 1 hour window on 606 in my lunch break, so everything has to be rush typed (thats my excuse anyway!!).
posted on 29/5/13
I would really worry about MON after what happened at Sunderland. It sounds like Di Canio has inherited a disorganised mess with players doing what they want. It's hard to imagine that what's being described is a MON team. Still, Steve Bruce has made a successful comeback in the Championship, so I wouldn't be completely devoid of hope for MON doing the same if he returned. I would however be wary of him damaging his legacy, or that people might remember his failed return instead of what he achieved in his original tenure.
NL, I'm not sure about. As you say, it's hard to compare him to anyone or anything. Certainly I'd welcome him here and be willing to give him a go, but that would be partly because of who he is and his history with the club. I would have a concern about whether he'd be able to cope well with the pressure of the Championship, because let's face it - You'd have to do something seriously wrong to fail to win the Scottish title with Celtic right now. Even so, he's had some very positive results in the Champions League, so maybe there is something more there.
posted on 29/5/13
MON is a hero, legend and all time great manager at Leicester. For this reason alone I wouldn't ever want him back as manager as he could only ruin this reputation.
His stock does look to have fallen also and even if I ignored the above, I'm still not sure of be excited if he came back.
I would love to see him back in an advisory role though. I think our owners could benefit from his knowledge.
Lennon is just unproven. Could be a great manager outside of Scotland, could be a flop. We just don't know.
However, my instinct (often wrong of course) says that he's a bit too disruptive to manage a top team. He seems a bit immature to me and rather than his clashes with media and players coming out of authority (like you could level at Pearson) they seem to come out of immaturity.
As I said, just instinct and I don't think we really know until he leaves. I do know that if I HAD to take Lennon, is like O'Neil to come with him in an advisory role.
But hey, as you all know, I'd prefer Pearson to both!
posted on 29/5/13
Mersey might have it!
MON as Director of football with Lennon as Manager might just work......... for a team without a manager already in place.
posted on 12/6/13
Don't forget MON didn't have Robbo with him up at Sunderland, (He didn't fancy it as it was too far from his Nottingham home). I also think managing the team you supported as a kid brings extra pressures which made life more difficult.
I also agree that it would be a big risk to go back to Leicester with all they achieves first time round, (I would love to have both in charge at Forest at some point!)
Can see him taking over at one of the recently promoted Prem clubs in the autumn when one of the chairmen inevitably panics or Stoke when Hughes fails again.