Neil Lennon believes that he is a better manager after his Bolton experience.
In the summer of 2014 he stepped down at Celtic hoping for a job in the English top flight. With three consecutive titles, a strong media profile and a win over Barcelona on his CV he could hardly have been better placed.
Last week the Irishman was appointed as the new manager of Hibs. In-between times a stint in charge at Bolton appeared to cause serious reputational damage.
Quitting the club a year ago crossed Lennon’s mind but with so many managers on the outside looking in walking away never really appealed.
Managing in the English Championship is a brutal business with Lennon looking back on 18 months at Bolton as the ultimate in learning experiences.
“It was exciting, though, there were games to get your teeth into,” he recalled. “The fans were brilliant as well, especially through the tough times, they supported the team but it was difficult. You really challenge yourself and think ‘Am I doing the right thing? Why am I not getting results?’
“Then, when I left, they lost eight games in a row so I’m thinking maybe I wasn’t the problem after all.
“We didn’t have any backing to put together a team that would have been competitive in that league, which is what I was assured would happen when I took the job.
“If I knew that would be the case, I might have left in the summer after keeping them up but I wasn’t aware how bad the finances were until maybe a month or two into the season.
“Then, do you walk away? How would that reflect on you? So I tried to stick it out and make the best of what we had but it became increasingly difficult.
“We were on the brink of administration and they were selling huge parts of the training ground, offices at the stadium and parts of the car park to make ends meet.
“Players weren’t being paid at one stage so keeping them happy was tough, but it is an experience and one that will hopefully stand me in good stead.
“It showed that football wasn’t all rose-tinted glasses. Did it hurt my reputation? I still believe I am a very good manager and hope to prove that at Hibs.”
Lennon’s first port of call for players is likely to be Celtic with the hoops sending Anthony Stokes and Liam Henderson on loan last term.