The Celtic board have never hesitated like this; what’s different now?

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After 7 months, the Celtic board sacked John Barnes in 2000. Tony Mowbray lasted until the March of his maiden season before getting the boot (BBC).

Tommy Burns? Sacked. Lou Macari? Sacked. When it didn’t work out for Josef Venglos? Moved to a different role.

Why, then, are the Celtic board keeping the faith with Neil Lennon when it so obviously isn’t working? Last night was a 90 minute encapsulation of just how far we’ve fallen in only a year.

In the context of modern football, it’s absolutely remarkable that the Celtic manager is still there. The Bhoys have only won 13 of their 22 league matches (BBC). Comprehensively out of Europe, a season that promised so much has been an utter catastrophe.

Yet, the board stick by their man. They promised a “review”, but when it was due, Celtic were in Dubai. There seems to be immense energy into pretending there’s nothing wrong at the club. It isn’t just wrong, it’s bizarre.

Dermot Desmond is a successful businessman, as is Peter Lawwell. Surely in their years of expertise, they’ve had to make tough decisions before?

Celtic board face saving is having opposite effect

It’s hard to know what the Celtic board are going for here. If they’re trying to save face and insist on standing by Neil Lennon, that’s admirable in one respect. With the turnover of managers in modern football, perhaps they’re making a statement about longevity, and loyalty. Or something.

If that’s true though, why do Celtic have to be the case study in standing by an ailing manager? A man who, so obviously, is struggling with the immense pressure he’s under?

Providing the board actually cared about the well-being of their employee, they’d have let Neil Lennon go weeks ago when the tide was turning. When results became poor, and when fans became angry. Instead, they’ve let a club legend tarnish his reputation, and tried to let Lennon become the scapegoat for the season.

That’s absolute negligence, bordering on psychopathy.

It’s hard to argue another Celtic manager has been given time and backing like this, considering the on-pitch product. In a year ravaged by Covid-19, with obvious financial impacts, it’s impossible to understand why the board are allowing their asset to degrade.

Perhaps we’ll never know the real story. Either way, the board are making an enormous mistake by holding on to Lennon. The man himself so obviously needs to be out of this situation for his own good.