Former Celtic midfielder Mark Fotheringham is in talks with Neil Lennon to become his assistant manager in Cyprus, the Scottish Sun reports.
Lennon has finally taken up a new managerial gig after leaving Parkhead in February 2021. The pain of how his tenure ended is still felt strongly by the Celtic supporters, and it’s clear it’s had a damning affect on his ability to find work, particularly in Scotland.
But now, after joining up with Cypriot champions Omonia Nicosia, the Sun believes that Lennon is itching to get a deal done to bring his former teammate Fotheringham with him.
Fotheringham only played 3 times for Celtic after coming through the youth ranks, before leaving to join Dundee in 2003. Since then, he’s carved out an impressive coaching career for himself in Germany. He was assistant to Tomas Oral at Ingolstadt last year, helping to bag them promotion to German football’s second-tier. In the past, he’s talked up a desire to move back to Scotland for opportunities [Scottish Sun].
The Sun reports that Lennon is eager to get him in the door quickly due to his knowledge of Cypriot football. Fotheringham played for Anorthosis Famagusta between 2010 an 2011.
The report claims they’ve both been in talks over the last 48 hours, as Lennon looks to get his team in place quickly.
Mark Fotheringham and Neil Lennon – an interesting combination
You do wonder whether this is a role that Lennon would be able to make a success for the long-term. Especially because, in all likelihood, he would have very little knowledge of Cypriot football and its inner workings.
Here clearly feels that Fotheringham would be someone he could lean on strongly. Especially given his spell in Cyprus combined with their own knowledge of each other.
But then again, it feels like a big risk for Fotheringham. If he’s eyeing up chances in Scottish football, where he has a decent reputation after his success abroad, goodness knows what a disastrous spell in Cyprus will do for him. It’s a big decision for him and one he’ll surely want to think about.
If it falls through, all eyes will be on who else Lennon will target for his number 2. His former assistant, Johan Mjallby, is currently out of work after leaving FC Stockholm in 2020. Gary Parker, his first-team coach at Celtic, is currently working as a performance analyst with Oxford United.
You then have the curious case of Scott Brown, who looks set to retire from playing any day now [Daily Record]. He and Lennon had a strong relationship during their time at Celtic, and given Brown’s hunger to get into management, this could be the right step for him.
For now, however, it looks as though Lennon has found his first-choice in Fotheringham.
In other news, Celtic left-back Greg Taylor labelled “undroppable” after stunning 2022 form
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