Parkhead legend Neil Lennon has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal to take over as manager at struggling Championship side Dunfermline Athletic and is believed to be close to accepting the offer.
The former Celtic star, who secured 10 trophies during his two spells at Parkhead and also guided Hibernian to the Championship title, has been out of work since departing Rapid Bucharest last year. However, he now appears poised for a return to Scottish football, with Dunfermline eager to bring him in as they battle to avoid relegation from the second tier, currently sitting in ninth place.
Dunfermline parted ways with Michael Tidser after just two months in charge following a derby defeat to Raith Rovers. It’s understood that the club’s hierarchy has made an enticing offer to Lennon, which he is on the verge of accepting. A final decision is expected by Friday.
The Pars have endured a turbulent season both on and off the pitch. James McPake was dismissed in December as the club found itself dragged into a relegation fight. Tidser, then manager of Kelty Hearts, was identified as McPake’s successor, but securing his appointment took over two weeks. Kelty Hearts responded by appointing Charlie Mulgrew as his replacement.
Just a day after Tidser’s arrival, Las Vegas-based businessmen James Bord and Evan Sofer completed a takeover, acquiring 99.84 percent of the club’s shares, including those previously held by the German consortium DAFC Fussball GMBH.
Despite being backed in the January transfer window with seven new signings, Tidser’s tenure proved disastrous, managing only three wins from 11 games before his sacking after a defeat to Barry Robson’s Raith Rovers.
Chairman and CEO David Cook acknowledged the difficult period, stating, “Clearly this has been a challenging spell for the club and our supporters. We wish Michael all the best and thank him for his efforts. We are now focused on appointing someone who can help us secure our league status.”
That appointment looks set to be Lennon, and if the deal is finalized in time, his first game in charge could be against a familiar face – Scott Brown’s Ayr United –
on March 29.
