It’s often the case that different managerial styles will be required depending on the club and the dressing room, but Celtic have to go in the opposite direction to Neil Lennon.
You always got the impression that things only went well for him when the players were on his side and everything was going well, but he didn’t have the patience, the temperament or the tactical skills to turn it around once momentum swung against Celtic.
You also have to worry when players talk highly about the relationship they have with a manager who’s also been part of the coaching staff, as it does suggest they feel they’ll get an easy ride and a lack of discipline is always a real danger.
A report from The Daily Record looked at some quotes from former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan earlier, and it’s obvious that he’s full of praise for John Kennedy:
“I had a really good relationship with John Kennedy. He was one that when Brendan Rodgers first came in he took to him really quickly.
“He had quite a lot of say in what Brendan Rodgers done and as the years went on he started to take more and more training.
“I think it’s a hard one because he’s been put with some of the problems that have been there this season and toward the end of last season as well, so it’s a difficult one.
“He knows the club, he wants to play the right way, and he’ll of learned from Neil Lennon, and see some of the mistakes he has made and some of the good things that Brendan Rodgers has done.
“He’s obviously worked his way right through the age groups at Celtic after his career ending injury. I think if you were to ask the players there is probably a lot of them that would be for John Kennedy.”
There doesn’t seem to be any debate over Kennedy in terms of him being a nice guy or a decent coach, but the problem is that he doesn’t fit the profile of what Celtic need just now.
If we were looking at another title winning campaign and it was purely a case of keeping things going then he may be perfect, but a revolution is needed and it probably needs a coach who has no connection with the players to ensure they all have to earn his respect and trust.
The players have let the fans down this season so they shouldn’t be picking the next manager, so it will be a shock if Kennedy actually gets the job full-time.
