If stories of Parker returning as assistant to Lenny are true then that for me is wholly more worrying than Lennon’s appointment as permanent manager. I was ambivalent to the Lennon appointment, expected it as it’s the cheap, unambitious , conservative option from a tight, unambitious, conservative CEO. But failing us landing a bigger ‘name’ I am ok with Lennon leading us in our attempt to get to 10. However, if you are downsizing your manager you need to upscale your quality of player and the backroom support set up for the manager. The first is unlikely, see Lawwell’s comments re. not much of a rebuild required and the fact we have no recruitment structure, and the potential return of Lennon’s boozing buddy as assistant screams of a move away from the sports science, analytics and all of the other techniques now used in modern day football.
If Lennon’s appointment is announced with news of a revamp of the new footballing department set up, Sporting Director, new Head of Recruitment, new Head of Sports Science, new Head of Analytics, then we could have an exciting future to look forward to. If it’s announced with Garry Parker as assistant manager and that’s it then our CEO’s arrogance and complacency will come back to bite us.
