Much like our favourite John McGinn song, Neil Lennon is definitely Leeann Dempster’s man. Or so we thought until tonight’s explosive news surrounding the yet to be clarified suspension of the Hibernian manager.
For Hibs not to have informed fans and press alike of the news surrounding the Irishman’s departure is foolhardy and lets rumour take place of fact yet was easy avoidable. Our earlier article makes this clear.
For all the good Dempster has done for the club this is now an issue which could cast a long shadow over her reign as CEO.
After Alan Stubbs had led the club to glory in the Scottish Cup he departed for pastures new and looking to capitalise on the feel good factor surrounding the historic victory she went all in to attract Lennon to a then Scottish Championship side. There were NO other candidates. It appeared it was Lennon or bust.
With the Scottish Sun now reporting the suspension is a result of dispute following a clear the air meeting with the squad following Wednesday’s defeat to Motherwell it throws up some unanswered questions. Has the CEO got the balls to sack Lennon or will both parties hold vital talks to broker a peace? Alternatively does either believe things have gone too far and holding out a tree of olive branches will be unable to settle their differences.
It’s understood soon after the squad summit, Dempster dramatically got involved and Lennon was told he was to step aside pending the results of a club probe- The Scottish Sun
With Hibs so far staying silent on the matter, much to the anger of the supporters, speculation will be rife as to the reasoning for Lennon’s sudden departure.
We believe there may have been a skirmish with an experienced first team player but training ground bust up’s are common and the Irishman’s fiery nature sees him stand tall in the face of adversary, usually these are limited to incidents with Rangers and Hearts supporters and occasionally Jim Duffy however.
Dempster has spoken of her admiration for the Celtic legend and has given vital support to both him and his backroom staff since his appointment but if this incident, in the case there was a serious misconduct matter, she will need to objectify and do what’s best for the club and it’s supporters.
Does she still believe Neil Lennon is singularly the best man to take Hibs forward in a footballing sense? Clearly when she appointed him back in the glorious summer of 2016 she was single minded enough to pursue one man and was entirely happy for all her eggs to be put in one basket.
If she is now of the opinion he is no longer “the man” then what’s changed and why? Is it a singular incident? A multitude? Or does she just not believe in her guy anymore?
A full statement by the club outlining the suspension would have been welcomed even if it was scant of detail but Dempster has some serious questions to answer and the silence is deafening. Keeping supporters in the dark over potential signings is one thing, allowing them to learn of their manager’s departure via rumour mongers and social media is wholly unacceptable.
The CEO has some big calls to make. She also has fans to keep onside. Her future may just depend on it.
