Fenlon set for Hibernian job as Bohemians give go-ahead
HIBERNIAN have been given the green light to open contract talks with Pat Fenlon, who could become their new manager today.
The Scottish Premier League club last night contacted Bohemians to seek permission to approach the 42-year-old and the Gypsies acceded to their request, despite there being one year remaining on Fenlon's current deal.
The Dubliner could be unveiled at a scheduled press conference tomorrow ahead of Hibs' league game against St Johnstone on Saturday, which looks likely to be his first game in charge.
The Easter Road outfit are third from bottom of Scotland's top flight after making a poor start to the season that cost Colin Calderwood his job. It remains to be seen if Fenlon will be able to appoint his own back-room staff but he has been linked with a move for former Drogheda United player Stuart Taylor as assistant manager.
blessing
Fenlon will go with the blessing of the Gypsies' board, whose priorities have changed since the former Bohs midfielder was appointed to deliver success in 2008 on the back of their €60m sale of Dalymount Park.
He won the double in his first season in charge, retained his title and won the League Cup in his second and lost out to Shamrock Rovers on points difference in his third after lifting the Setanta Cup.
Last winter he saw his annual budget -- which was €1.7m in 2008 -- reduced to €250,000 as Bohs' debt problems took hold after the sale of Dalymount collapsed. Despite having less money at his disposal, Fenlon's managed to guide his side to the FAI Cup semi-final and finish fifth with a hastily assembled squad.
He was denied the chance to become manager of Dundee United two years ago when Bohs' compensation demands proved a sticking point, while he has also been linked to Kilmarnock and Motherwell. He would become the eighth Hibs manager in 10 years since Alex McLeish left the club for Rangers in 2001.
- Ruaidhri O'Connor
Irish Independent
