Just thought I'd make a brief foray onto the board to say where I stand on this!
I can’t stand Neil Lennon.
He is one of the reasons I’ve often said ‘be careful what you wish for’. I didn’t like him as a player and I don’t care for him as a manager (and yes I have Rangers connections - that is nothing to do with it). I do not believe he is a rubbish boss - he most certainly is not. He has many strings to his bow though there are also downfalls. I will commend him on his ability to maintain his players motivation in a job which is frankly far too easy most of time. His record against better sides in the Champions League is patchy but does contain some sensational highlights as well as some absolute horrors.
He’s the polar opposite to Chris Hughton. He’s arrogant, cold, obnoxious and aggressive. He is not tactful, he is not pleasant, he is not a gentleman. He will spend more time sitting in the stands than he will managing on the touchline. But then, perhaps these traits are precisely what the club requires when the current manager leaves (because he will leave shortly, no matter what). A totally different kind of man. Takes no prisoners. Fight, motivation, passion - he has the lot in abundance and makes it very clear to everyone that these are the bare minimum he expects.
But should we be hoping for something a little more sophisticated than that? Those hoping for either a new, more entertaining style of football would be sorely disappointed, though I will grant you he is more courageous with his decision making than Hughton is, if a little naive at times, a la Lambert. But he would not bring a new dimension to the club. Instead he’d right wrongs and create new wrongs, bring friction (of a different kind we’re seeing with Hughton), a new set of problems. This is not a case of 'anybody could do better'. I would rate Lennon and Hughton very closely in terms of ability, albeit poles apart in terms of how they use their individual abilities - Hughon as a coach and Lennon as a manager.
For what it’s worth I think he’s long been McNally’s number one choice if Hughton leaves and perhaps that is partly why no action has been taken thus far because he has a chance to go a whole season unbeaten. Unless we go down (which I still don’t think we will) I expect Neil Lennon to be Norwich City manager by the opening game of next season. He ticks many of the boxes our CEO will look for next. It does concern me as I don’t want somebody like him in charge of my football club but alas, I don’t get to make the decisions - you have to trust the board - if it ends up being him then so be it - he'd have my full support.
OTBC