'I miss it' - Lennon excited by Dunfermline challenge

BBC News

25-03-2025

Neil Lennon is relishing the task of keeping Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship after taking the manager's job on until at least the end of the season."I don't know how long this is going to be and we will take a view on it as we go along," said the 53-year-old former Celtic and Hibernian boss."There is not much that excites me at my age. But this does. So I am looking forward to it."With seven matches remaining, the Fife club occupy the relegation play-off spot, six points above bottom side Airdrieonians and two points behind Hamilton Academical - with a game in hand on both.Lennon succeeds Michael Tidser, who was dismissed after 60 days in charge with the Pars on a run of one win in eight games.The ex-Celtic captain lasted just three months in his previous job, having been sacked by Romanian top-flight club Rapid Bucharest in August."Managing any club on a professional level is a privilege because there is so much competition for jobs now," he added. "Some people can pick and choose but others can't."I miss it. I have had other offers to come back, a few from abroad and I didn't want top go abroad again for personal reasons."This one is local-ish for me. My son also talked me into it. So these are all nice little things."The real thing is what happens at three o'clock on a Saturday when we have got to play hard professional football and endeavour our best to win the game."Gallagher Lennon, 19, currently on loan at Bonnyrigg Rose from St Mirren may have done some of the persuading but co-owner James Bord did most of the work to sway Lennon.The chairman [David Cook] and the owner made a very compelling argument for taking the job," said Lennon."There's an old adage from Sir Alex [Ferguson] where sometimes you pick your owners rather than the club. I think we've got a good one here."Further down the line he's got some really good aspirations for the future of the club. I wanted to align myself with that."
Box office appointment brings optimism - analysis
Neil Lennon is box-office material. All the way through his playing and managerial career he has made an impact.It was standing room only at the media conference, an indication of how big a draw he is.Even in his short time at Bolton, where he saved the club from relegation before they encountered administration, he remains highly thought of by fans.He lifted Hibs out of the Championship at the first time of asking and took them into Europe.Just walking through the front doors at East End Park you can sense an optimism that has been lacking recently.This may be the wake up call this club needs and one thing for sure is Lennon will give his all to get them on a solid footing once again and have the fans rolling back in their droves.