What next for Pat Fenlon
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Bohemians’ crushing loss against TNS in last week’s second round qualifier for the Champions League has implications on the Airtricity League in more ways than one.
Firstly, the league’s best team is out of Europe – however Shamrock Rovers have softened that blow. Secondly, Bohs look close to financial turmoil and are rumoured to be interested in listening to offers for any of their players. However thirdly, and perhaps as significantly, the league’s most promising and successful manager in recent times, Pat Fenlon, will no doubt be looking towards Scotland with ‘What if?’ bellowing even louder in his mind – surely making his future in Ireland close to untenable.
Fenlon has managed Bohemians to consecutive league titles, an FAI Ford Cup, a League Cup and a Setanta Cup in the last two years. Add to that his three league titles with Shelbourne and a dazzling run in Europe where Shels beat Icelandic side KR Reykjavík and Croatian side Hajduk Split before eventually succumbing to Deportivo la Coruna at the final hurdle before the group stages of the Champions League, and you will see his record is pretty remarkable.
In January, mid-table SPL side Dundee United attempted to recruit Fenlon to begin a new chapter in Scotland – an offer too good to refuse for a young aspiring manager. Obviously, given his success, Bohemians sought relative compensation for what many believed was their best asset. Unfortunately the two clubs could not come to an agreement.
Neither Dundee United, in making the offer they felt was a good one, nor Bohemians, in holding out for an offer closer to their valuation, were wrong in this regard. The only real loser in the scenario was Fenlon as he had a tantalising offer ripped away from him through no fault of his own. (The difference in valuation was rumoured to be anything up to €125,000)
When Fenlon was first touted for the position, his mind must have been racing. Thoughts of doing a good job with Dundee United could very feasibly lead to promotion up the league towards the Holy Grail of Celtic. Obviously things could have gone awry, given the gulf between the Old Firm and the rest of the league, but the opportunity there was not impossible. Not one bit.
Fast forward six months and the scene in Scotland has changed somewhat.
Dundee United do not belong to the trophy winning elite of the Old Firm in Scotland. However, they subsequently managed to win the Scottish Cup under Peter Houston last season – a rare piece of recent silverware for the club – and also finished third in the league.
Celtic have just lost 3-0 to Portuguese side Braga in their third round Champions League qualifying first-leg and are hardly purchasing the quality that saw Martin O’Neill bring them on so far in the early 2000’s – following last season’s disappointment, fans of the club could well be worried. Across the road, Rangers are unable to buy anything other than eggs for breakfast and face an unenviable future with regards their close relationship with Lloyds Banking Group.
There is scope now for a club like Dundee United to make leaps forward and close the gap towards the top. Again, it is an optimist’s view that they could push on and challenge this year – but it is not inconceivable whatsoever. Fenlon’s chance in the SPL was perfectly timed. On the back of success he would leave for a new career, when the power seems to be shifting in Scotland.
Bohemians could move to the top of the table on Friday night, in line for a potential third consecutive title. However, what now lies ahead for a manager who has seen this huge opportunity vanish in front of his eyes? How long will being the manager of Bohs, despite their fantastic success, appease a man whose ambitions must have skyrocketed in recent years?
Firstly, the league’s best team is out of Europe – however Shamrock Rovers have softened that blow. Secondly, Bohs look close to financial turmoil and are rumoured to be interested in listening to offers for any of their players. However thirdly, and perhaps as significantly, the league’s most promising and successful manager in recent times, Pat Fenlon, will no doubt be looking towards Scotland with ‘What if?’ bellowing even louder in his mind – surely making his future in Ireland close to untenable.
Fenlon has managed Bohemians to consecutive league titles, an FAI Ford Cup, a League Cup and a Setanta Cup in the last two years. Add to that his three league titles with Shelbourne and a dazzling run in Europe where Shels beat Icelandic side KR Reykjavík and Croatian side Hajduk Split before eventually succumbing to Deportivo la Coruna at the final hurdle before the group stages of the Champions League, and you will see his record is pretty remarkable.
In January, mid-table SPL side Dundee United attempted to recruit Fenlon to begin a new chapter in Scotland – an offer too good to refuse for a young aspiring manager. Obviously, given his success, Bohemians sought relative compensation for what many believed was their best asset. Unfortunately the two clubs could not come to an agreement.
Neither Dundee United, in making the offer they felt was a good one, nor Bohemians, in holding out for an offer closer to their valuation, were wrong in this regard. The only real loser in the scenario was Fenlon as he had a tantalising offer ripped away from him through no fault of his own. (The difference in valuation was rumoured to be anything up to €125,000)
When Fenlon was first touted for the position, his mind must have been racing. Thoughts of doing a good job with Dundee United could very feasibly lead to promotion up the league towards the Holy Grail of Celtic. Obviously things could have gone awry, given the gulf between the Old Firm and the rest of the league, but the opportunity there was not impossible. Not one bit.
Fast forward six months and the scene in Scotland has changed somewhat.
Dundee United do not belong to the trophy winning elite of the Old Firm in Scotland. However, they subsequently managed to win the Scottish Cup under Peter Houston last season – a rare piece of recent silverware for the club – and also finished third in the league.
Celtic have just lost 3-0 to Portuguese side Braga in their third round Champions League qualifying first-leg and are hardly purchasing the quality that saw Martin O’Neill bring them on so far in the early 2000’s – following last season’s disappointment, fans of the club could well be worried. Across the road, Rangers are unable to buy anything other than eggs for breakfast and face an unenviable future with regards their close relationship with Lloyds Banking Group.
There is scope now for a club like Dundee United to make leaps forward and close the gap towards the top. Again, it is an optimist’s view that they could push on and challenge this year – but it is not inconceivable whatsoever. Fenlon’s chance in the SPL was perfectly timed. On the back of success he would leave for a new career, when the power seems to be shifting in Scotland.
Bohemians could move to the top of the table on Friday night, in line for a potential third consecutive title. However, what now lies ahead for a manager who has seen this huge opportunity vanish in front of his eyes? How long will being the manager of Bohs, despite their fantastic success, appease a man whose ambitions must have skyrocketed in recent years?
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile