DANNY LENNON
Ex-Saints boss hopes for gain from Spain
DANNY LENNON is hoping for a bright 2017 after spending the last seven months augmenting his coaching skills in Spain.
At a loose end in the summer following a stint as caretaker boss of Airdrie, the 47- year- old made up his mind it was time for a change.
“I decided that rather sitting around waiting for something to happen, I would take the opportunity to improve myself,” said the former St Mirren manager.
“Having always been a fan of the SFA’s personal development courses over the years, I thought I would do something similar off my own bat.
“Through good contacts, I was able to fix up some youth coaching with both Malaga and Tenerife FC.
“I was also in Gibraltar with their national team, and at Lincoln Red Imps, who people will remember gave Celtic a fright in the Champions League.
“Those were great experiences, and I gained so much from them. There is so much we can learn from Spanish football. Their game has been the success story of the last few decades.
“The national side has won the World Cup and European Championships, and have done so playing brilliant, passing football. Their top clubs have also been dominant in European club competitions.
“La Liga has grown stronger, becoming one of the top two destinations for the world’s best players.
“You add it all up and the fascinating question is: ‘ Why?’.
“Yes, they have lots of gifted, technically- strong young players. But I don’t believe the gap between their kids and ours is as big as some people imagine. It certainly wasn’t as as big as I was expecting.
“What they do have is a big advantage over us when it comes to the weather, facilities and finance.
“More than that, though, I think they have a more long-term outlook about how to achieve their goals.
“Their national team is the best example of that. Their success was the end result of a plan which had been many years in the planning, and that extends all the way down to how they deal with players.
“They are more patient and happier to leave young talents in development until they are sure they are ready.
“From a coach’s perspective, it is great to get the chance to see the different ways other people go about things.
“I soaked it up like a sponge. Now I’m itching to get back into the game and put everything I’ve learned into practice.”
Getting a foot in the door, though, is easier said than done – even when that
foot has scored for the club against Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium.
“I was in for the Raith Rovers job and made it onto the shortlist,” Lennon revealed. “Gary Locke got it and good luck to him. But I do believe I could have done quite well in the post.
“I think my CV speaks for itself. I won the League Cup with St Mirren in 2013, and also led the club to their two highest top-flight finishes in 30 years, achievements I will always be proud of.
“Before that, I helped Cowdenbeath achieve back-to-back promotions in the lower leagues.
“I also led Alloa to the Championship Play-off Final in 2015. That is right up there with any of my achievements because, at one point that year, we were worried about relegation.
“While I only had a couple of months with the Scotland Under- 21 national side, the experience was invaluable.
“You add all that together and I believe I do have something to offer a Scottish club. If that is not possible, then I’d definitely be up for going abroad.
“For a lot of people, that is not an option due to the domestic commitments they have in Scotland.
“I am very fortunate in that my family have told me they are 100% behind whatever I want to do. If that means relocating to another country to take up an opportunity, then I know for sure they will be happy to back me.”
Lennon’s CV doesn’t tell the whole story, either. His teams are renowned for the quality of the football they play.
He added: “I still have the letters from my second year in charge at St Mirren, thanking me because they were enjoying watching the team play so much.
“My philosophy has always centred around passing the ball. So to get feedback like that is just tremendous.”