Neil Francis Lennon
In my books a supremely talented footballer, not because of his physical attributes, but his brain for the game of football was and likely is, exceptional.
The ubiquitously cliched midfield 'winner' brought the kind of steely mentality that is the difference between success and failure. But his will to win apart, his appreciation for tactics, systems, and the players around him are what seperated Lennon from a sterotypical midfield bulldog. The things that made him great, were in the mind. He didn’t have the pace to take on players, or even cover the ground while defending quicker players. He had to learn how to position himself and how to release the players around him, to allow him to compete against the best. Very rarely, even at 35, did you see him be outpaced.
Technically superior footballers often struggle as managers, and no wonder. How on earth can Diego Maradona be expected to explain how to dribble by a whole team, Or score an exquisit chip from 40 yards. The things Lennon might well struggle with, is guys that lack heart, the determination that allowed Neil to overcome his phyical and technical shortcomings and be a top footballer. Is that a bad thing? Perhaps not. Do we want a team that has a lack of heart, yeah we can have the odd flair player who needs his manager to get on at him/understand that work isnt whats gonnae make him make his mark on a game of football. But what Celtic need is guys who are willing to do what it takes to succeed. Hopefully Lennon will be a massive help with this. Even if this just is in the work he will do with the current squad until June.
Look at the modern game (certainly Britian) - who have been the top managers of the past couple of years, Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho, Walter Smith, and even Davie Moyes. Only O'Neil was anything like a top player, and again, he was more of a hard working thinker in a great side than actually a great footballer. Certainly leads me to believe that the Lennons and Lamberts of this world will develop into top managers. I remember when my mum and dad got their season books - summer of 2000. I started to appreciate what a truly wonderful player Paul Lambert was. Their seats were high up, angled in the corner, giving a great overview fo the pitch, picking up on bits of lamberts game and the reading of the game that other seats and tv just didn’t do justice. The laughable claim that Lambo and Lenny couldn’t play in tandem was ridiculous, and with those two in one team its no surprise that we rose to the heights of being the best Celtic team Ive ever seen.
I am not saying Neil Lennon is definitely the man for the Celtic job just now, as indeed only time will tell. However I think given the right opportunities and support he can certianly become a top manager for someone. Maybe now is the time for more experience - to galvanise a struggling Celtic side. However are there many candidates of that ilk available at a price that will suit Celtic, on indeed that they can afford. Is a guy with a couple of seasons experience that far above Lennon for the job, could Lennons knowledge of the club, of the players, of seeing the club run well, and the conversely the club struggle, be invaluable, and indeed edge him infront of the Lamberts, the Keanes and even Mark Hughes of this world.
As I said - Only time will tell I suppose...
The ubiquitously cliched midfield 'winner' brought the kind of steely mentality that is the difference between success and failure. But his will to win apart, his appreciation for tactics, systems, and the players around him are what seperated Lennon from a sterotypical midfield bulldog. The things that made him great, were in the mind. He didn’t have the pace to take on players, or even cover the ground while defending quicker players. He had to learn how to position himself and how to release the players around him, to allow him to compete against the best. Very rarely, even at 35, did you see him be outpaced.
Technically superior footballers often struggle as managers, and no wonder. How on earth can Diego Maradona be expected to explain how to dribble by a whole team, Or score an exquisit chip from 40 yards. The things Lennon might well struggle with, is guys that lack heart, the determination that allowed Neil to overcome his phyical and technical shortcomings and be a top footballer. Is that a bad thing? Perhaps not. Do we want a team that has a lack of heart, yeah we can have the odd flair player who needs his manager to get on at him/understand that work isnt whats gonnae make him make his mark on a game of football. But what Celtic need is guys who are willing to do what it takes to succeed. Hopefully Lennon will be a massive help with this. Even if this just is in the work he will do with the current squad until June.
Look at the modern game (certainly Britian) - who have been the top managers of the past couple of years, Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho, Walter Smith, and even Davie Moyes. Only O'Neil was anything like a top player, and again, he was more of a hard working thinker in a great side than actually a great footballer. Certainly leads me to believe that the Lennons and Lamberts of this world will develop into top managers. I remember when my mum and dad got their season books - summer of 2000. I started to appreciate what a truly wonderful player Paul Lambert was. Their seats were high up, angled in the corner, giving a great overview fo the pitch, picking up on bits of lamberts game and the reading of the game that other seats and tv just didn’t do justice. The laughable claim that Lambo and Lenny couldn’t play in tandem was ridiculous, and with those two in one team its no surprise that we rose to the heights of being the best Celtic team Ive ever seen.
I am not saying Neil Lennon is definitely the man for the Celtic job just now, as indeed only time will tell. However I think given the right opportunities and support he can certianly become a top manager for someone. Maybe now is the time for more experience - to galvanise a struggling Celtic side. However are there many candidates of that ilk available at a price that will suit Celtic, on indeed that they can afford. Is a guy with a couple of seasons experience that far above Lennon for the job, could Lennons knowledge of the club, of the players, of seeing the club run well, and the conversely the club struggle, be invaluable, and indeed edge him infront of the Lamberts, the Keanes and even Mark Hughes of this world.
As I said - Only time will tell I suppose...
posted by Michael__67 at 3:00 PM
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