Former Derry City boss Pat Fenlon has quit Scottish Premier Division club Hibernian fuelling speculation he could be on his way back to Brandywell.
Pat Fenlon who has quit Hibernian.
Dubliner Fenlon resigned as Derry City manager in May 2007 after just five months in the job, citing personal reasons for his decision to leave. He had succeeded Stephen Kenny at the Brandywell.
At the time, Derry were fifth in the Eircom League and then City chairperson Hugh McDaid said Fenlon’s domestic situation was the sole cause for his departure.
Mr McDaid said: “Things were going very well as far as we were concerned and we are very disappointed Pat is leaving,” he said.
Fenlon’s departure from Foyleside followed a disappointing scoreless draw with basement club Longford Town – a result which saw City trail league leaders St Patrick’s Athletic by 11 points.
Derry City are currently on the look out for a new manager after dismissing the services of Declan Devine last weekend.
While Fenlon’s return to Brandywell is mere speculation, it is thought he may attract the attention of Drogheda United who will part company with manager Mick Cook after this Sunday’s FAI Cup final with Sligo Rovers.
If United were to win, the attraction of European competition next season and the near proximity of Honky Dory Park to his home city could interest him.
He may also be interested in taking over the managerial reins at Cork City who are also on the look out for a team boss.
The 44-year-old said his departure from Hibs after two years as manager was the “right decision.”
Pressure on mounted on the Dubliner after Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat in the Edinburgh by Hearts in the Scottish League Cup which resulted in a small group of fans staging a protest after the game.
Fenlon led Hibs to successive Scottish Cup finals but could not end the club’s long wait for success in that tournament.
The Edinburgh club avoided relegation in his first season and his only full campaign ended with a seventh place finish.
This season opened with a record 9-0 aggregate defeat to Malmo in Europa League qualifying and two league defeats but Fenlon appeared to have steadied the ship with a run of just one loss in nine games before back-to-back home losses to Aberdeen and Hearts.
Fenlon was Hibs’ 10th manager in 16 years.
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