Eight months after resigning as Celtic manager there is little sign of sympathy or forgiveness from many supporters towards Neil Lennon.
What went on inside the club last season remains the subject of speculation. After winning 11 successive domestic trophies Celtic stumbled to a 12th last December in the hangover from the previous term while surrendering the SPFL title by 25 points and failing to even reach the semi-finals of the cup tournaments that they’d dominated since 2016.
Since resigning Lennon has popped up in a few places to discuss what went wrong- at no stage has he acknowledged any failings on his own part. There was also Dubai.
A disastrous signing policy that brought in Hatem Abd Elhamed, Boli Bolingoli, Patryk Klimala, Ismaila Soro, Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti left the team more dependent than ever on the core that Lennon inherited from Brendan Rodgers.
Retrospectively we have learned that Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie, Kris Ajer and Olivier Ntcham all wanted away in the summer of 2020. Rather than move a couple on to refresh the squad Lennon retained them while ‘strengthening’ the side with high earners like Shane Duffy and Diego Laxalt.
The lack of fans was also a factor last season but Lennon has been quick to bite back at the online criticism aimed at him and the players.
When Lennon returns to management he can answer the doubters with the results he brings to his next club, eight months on from his ‘Stein-like’ success it seems that he might have to move to Israel to find a club prepared to put him back in the dug-out.
Any Celtic fan subscribing to this needs to give themselves a shake
— greenhillsbhoy (@Paulmullen4) October 23, 2021
Unless “couldn’t” “lace” and “boots” are in the same sentence.
— James Finnell (@HoudiniBhoy) October 23, 2021
His record speaks for itself, across two spells he had 5 1/2 v good seasons, but his final season was absolutely abysmal. Sadly given the importance of last season, and the general rhetoric he came out with (and still does) RE the fans and media, it only makes him look worse.
— Michael Gibson (@MichaelGtenor) October 23, 2021
Why would a former Leicester player be viewed as anything other than a failure as a manager
— CeltiCRa9??-IAR twice? (@CeltiCRab19671) October 23, 2021
He took over an excellent set-up from Brendan Rodgers and then every single player got worse under his management. He cannot be mentioned in the same sentence as Stein, O’Neill, Rodgers or Davie Hay. He’s about the same level as Lou Macari or John Barnes.
— Michael (@kerrycroyboy) October 23, 2021
The idiot should never have got the managers job 1st time never mind 2nd time
— CeltiCRa9??-IAR twice? (@CeltiCRab19671) October 23, 2021
Putting aside his 2nd term appointment fiasco, NL simply couldn’t read the room either on the pitch or the voices of the fans. Sure there was more than him that developed a sense of entitlement to do their own thing, but the buck stopped with him. As it would in any team
— Minnie the Minx (@722Argyle) October 23, 2021
Might have helped his case if he had behaved like a club legend. Even a club employee would have been a start.
— Eddie (@Freyeph) October 23, 2021
Twice managers have taken over a mess left by NL. That’s not a coincidence. NL’s refusal to even acknowledge that is incredible.
Statues shouldn’t be built for guys like that.— Jonny Holiday (@janek_9) October 23, 2021
He inherited a title winning machine from Rodgers and struggled over the line for 9 in a row. The downfall and demise started as soon as he became permanent. At no point has he ever looked at himself. Great player, good manager first time round, total disaster the second.
— Murnetti (@CRJM07) October 23, 2021
The word “arguably” doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
What isn’t arguable though, is that his last appointment was a comprehensive disaster.
One that will live long in the minds of the Celtic support.
— ??????? ?? ?????? (@MrTonyMcGowan) October 23, 2021
Sorry Kevin but his attitude towards the fans since leaving this time round has been nothing but deplorable, blaming everyone but himself for last season, granted it wasn’t entirely down to him but he’s shown not a shred of humility since then.
— Kevin McLaughlin (@kevinmcl29) October 23, 2021
Walked away in a huff the first time and went to England to seek his fortune at Bolton or something like that! Should never have been allowed back to CP the beginning of the end his coaching philosophy was Alien to the team he inherited from BR and this will be his legacy IMO
— Garry Quinn (@GarryQuinn18) October 23, 2021
