LAST UPDATE | 7 Mar
NEIL LENNON HAS claimed that the FAI told him he lacked the necessary international experience to be selected for the Ireland manager role.
The Armagh man has put himself in the frame to become the permanent manager of Aberdeen. He hopes to succeed interim boss Neil Warnock who took over from the sacked Barry Robson last month.
However, Lennon stated, “I was close to the Ireland job and I was disappointed to miss out on it.
“The feedback was positive but they said they wanted to go with someone who had international experience.”
It would seem he was definitely in the frame and speaking to the FAI, as he claimed he could not consider taking charge of the Dons while negotiations were ongoing with the vacant international job.
“Timing’s important and the Aberdeen job is something that I’d very much be interested in, no question. There’s great potential there,” said Lennon to The Scottish Sun.
“I was linked with it last month but, at the time, I was still involved with the process of the Ireland position, so I couldn’t really take it on.
“I feel like I’ve plenty left in me as a coach. I’ve done a lot in my career as a coach, I’ve achieved a lot, but there’s still more to do.
“At 52, my best years are in front of me in terms of experience, my achievements in the game and what I’ve done and learned as a manager.
“I think there’s a perception of me that’s wrong. I’ve achieved a lot — titles, trebles, the Champions League. I went abroad, won a trophy and got that team into the Europa League.”
Lennon added, “I first got the Celtic job when I was very young. That’s nearly 15 years ago and people think I’m getting on a bit, but I still have plenty of energy.
“I’m looking to get back in. I’ve had a bit of time out. I got offered a couple of jobs in the summer but the timing wasn’t right and they didn’t appeal to me.
“I’ll have to see the season out talking c**p on the punditry!”
Meanwhile, another fallen contender for the job, Chris Coleman, has admitted there was truth to the reports he was in the mix for the position, but that it won’t happen.
Coleman was a guest on the latest episode of the no tippy-tappy football podcast, which co-hosted by Sam Allardyce.
“There was a little bit of truth in it, but it’s not going to happen”, said Coleman when asked about his links with the Irish job.
“My Dad was a born and bred Dublin boy, he moved to Swansea when he was 25 or 26, so I’ve got strong links with Ireland. I almost played with Ireland, when Jack Charlton was there. He called me up but I’d already played with Wales. But that’s not something that’s going to happen.”
Coleman said he is eager to return to management, though his next job is likely to be outside of the UK.
Allardyce expressed an interest in the job when asked about it by Second Captains last year, but he received no approach from the FAI, revealing he has not been phoned in relation to any managerial job while he enjoyed a winter holiday in Dubai, which he describes as his favourite place on Earth.
With reporting by Gavin Cooney
