Neal Fenn

[total hoofball]

As far as I know Daire Doyle wont be in the running as hes currently not on a course at present. I suspect Stephen Henderson and Collie Oneill would be strong candidates. I would rule out Alan Mathews considering the way things ended badly for him in 2016 but as an outside bet considering hes still pally with our chairman as I saw him in the hospitality suite last season for Cork City match I wouldnt be surprised if Tony Cousins came back as I know for a fact the board accepted Tony Cousins resignation with great reluctance.
I believe Henderson is happy with his Shels role and out of management for the time being, it's believed he's also signed up as Shels' 'John Gill' for next season if promotion is achieved. Collie O'Neill would be such a perfect fit for Longford they should be begging the bloke to take the job

[El-Pietro]

I doubt Cotter will be too happy. I think it's generally good to give a manager time to asses his squad with games left in a season but it could have an impact on motivation if the new guy isnt stepping in immediately. Cork BoM must have felt that results recently have put an end to the risk of being pulled in to the play-off position.

*wong quote.
I don't see why Cotter would be happy, he applied for the job and was unsuccessful. I don't think its really relevant though as assuming this goes through he won't be involved anymore.

[Nesta99]

It was said on here, which makes it gospel, that he was very confident of getting the job!? Either way he will be disappointed which would be normal in any walk of life and will be a real testament to the chaps character if he keeps putting the same level of effort for as long as it takes for Fenn to actually be sitting on the bench. If that's in the next week or so well then its not an issue. If out of the cup then Fenn can really mix things up!

[KBurke]

Myself and a close friend chanced our arm and went to the CCS and hung around until the meeting was over.I spoke to one of the committee members and I was told that Fenn is still a paid employee of the club and wont be managing tonight. Its obvious that Fenn was told that he cant move until the dosh has being paid to the club as compo. Wonder will Fenn be cheeky enough to go to Terryland?

He was cheeky enough. He was there.

[White Horse]

It makes absolute sense to get him in at this stage of the season to :

a) Ensure he can fully assess the squad, set up etc between now and the start of next season, to get a head start.
b) Know which players he'll want to keep when their contracts end at the end of the season, and be in a position to sign/extend others he wants.
c) Have a shot at European qualification via an FAI Cup run.
d) Stave off the slight threat of getting drawn into a relegation dogfight.
e) Maximise income between now and the end of the season via both Cup games and league finish.
f) If he turns out to be a disaster, the club will see signs of that earlier than if they waited later to sign him.
g) Someone else could sign him as manager in the meantime if they waited !

Cross out c).

Cork and Fenn deserve each other.

[Martinho II]

at long last a statement here!

http://ltfc.ie/club-statement-neale-fenn/

no mention of cork city job so we all know whats going to happen!

[Onapointoforder]

Failed with Longford , waited till Cork safe b4 moving... class-less

[Nesta99]

What isnt said speaks more than what is! *Fenn looking for an out of the Cork job to maniplate a move to Inchicore...

[ToberonaTornado]

Suntan studio share prices in the TX area leap 10000% on the back of the news that Fenn will be the new Cork manager!

[Keen2win]

Will Cork have to pay Longford anything?

[patrickccfc]

Being announced in the morning apparently

[Nesta99]

Well if it doesnt work out Matthew Tipton is cutting his managerial teeth up north if ye want to trade up in due course!

[White Horse]

Being announced in the morning apparently

Compensation to Longford has apparently been agreed.

[Longfordian]

Compensation to Longford has apparently been agreed.

Good. Timing is far from ideal but I don't begrudge him wanting to go obviously. Let Daire Doyle have his crack at it for now. I'm not sure what his situation is as regards coaching badges, I'm not sure he has the A licence and he definitely doesn't have the Pro were we to go up. Though clearly that can be worked around.

[marinobohs]

Good. Timing is far from ideal but I don't begrudge him wanting to go obviously. Let Daire Doyle have his crack at it for now. I'm not sure what his situation is as regards coaching badges, I'm not sure he has the A licence and he definitely doesn't have the Pro were we to go up. Though clearly that can be worked around.

John Gill is going to be VERY busy :cool:

[Ezeikial]

Fenn Appointed First Team Head Coach


Cork City FC is delighted to announce Neale Fenn as the club’s new first team head coach after agreeing terms with Longford Town on his move back to the Rebel Army.

A former City player from 2004 to 2006, Fenn had a lengthy playing career with Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990’s before moving to the League of Ireland in 2003. He scored 27 goals in 84 league appearances for Cork City and won the Premier Division title with the Leesiders in 2005. He was a crucial member of the sides that progressed in Europe in ’04 and ‘05, scoring memorable away goals against FC Nantes and Djurgården IF.

Returning to City as Head Coach on a multi-year agreement, the Londoner managed Longford Town for the last two years and leaves the club comfortably in the play-off spots to vie for promotion to the Premier Division. Prior to that, he had previous spells as assistant manager of Leyton Orient and Drogheda United.

Speaking today exclusively to CCFC.ie, Neale expressed how happy he was to return to the club where he had so much success in his career as a player. “It’s fantastic to be back here. I took a walk around Turner’s Cross and the memories came flooding back of the fantastic nights in front of the Shed End – winning trophies and those great European nights.”

I can’t wait to get going now. I’ve met the backroom team, a lot of who I know from my playing and coaching career. We’re committed now to finishing the season as high as we can in the league. There’s a very strong group of players here. The spine of the team is Cork City through and through, you need that to be successful,” he added.

City chairman Declan Carey said “It’s great to have Neale back at the club. We all have fond memories of Neale’s playing days at the Cross and he’s done very well at Longford, where they played an attacking style of football. He shares our vision of where we want to go. Make no mistake about it, Neale has a huge job now to bring this club back to where it belongs over the next few years. We’ll back him and the whole first team 100% and we hope the Cork public get behind what we’re trying to achieve. We’re all in this together – supporters, players, staff, board – everyone.”

Neale will join up with the rest of the management team on Monday morning for their first training session.

https://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2019/08/26/fenn-appointed-first-team-head-coach/

[Ezeikial]

Already giving interviews!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9zoq6EA6Pc

[El-Pietro]

Can we update the title, the misspelling of his name has been bugging me all weekend.

[De Town]

Can we update the title, the misspelling of his name has been bugging me all weekend.

Sounds like a real rock and roll weekend you had for yourself there, El Pietro.

[El-Pietro]

Sounds like a real rock and roll weekend you had for yourself there, El Pietro.

Sure was De-Town

[Ezeikial]

Sure was De-Town

Can you update your post, the misspelling of his name has been bugging me all morning
(well for at least for the last 14 minutes)

[El-Pietro]

Can you update your post, the misspelling of his name has been bugging me all morning
(well for at least for the last 14 minutes)
Whoosh.

[Dalymountrower]

Give him an e.
I can only hope that Fenne gets to manage Corke v Longford in the league next season.

[Longfordian]

John Gill is going to be VERY busy :cool:

Is Aaron Callaghan's suspension up yet?

[White Horse]

John Cotter has tweeted that he has left Cork City.

[marinobohs]

John Cotter has tweeted that he has left Cork City. yep. One day after Cork said he was staying on !

[disgruntled]

John Cotter has tweeted that he has left Cork City.


yep. One day after Cork said he was staying on !

It was by mutual agreement.
I think it was best for all concerned. There was no point in him staying there waiting for his contract to end in nine games time.
He was interim manager & we are grateful for that.
Very nice fellow & everyone wishes him the best.

[marinobohs]

It was by mutual agreement.
I think it was best for all concerned. There was no point in him staying there waiting for his contract to end in nine games time.
He was interim manager & we are grateful for that.
Very nice fellow & everyone wishes him the best.
Makes more sense for Fennelly to get his own team going for what is left of the season. Cotter seems a decent bloke but was only ever a short term option until they got another manager in.

[El-Pietro]

Makes more sense for Fennelly to get his own team going for what is left of the season. Cotter seems a decent bloke but was only ever a short term option until they got another manager in.

We're bringing back Anthony Fennelly?!

[seand]

Can we update the title, the misspelling of his name has been bugging me all weekend.

Yeah, really annoying misspelling, it's C - U - N - T

[rebel]

Fenn will hopefully get us playing a better brand of football but as for better results I am not so sure.
He didn't exactly set the world on fire at Longford. Admittedly he was operating on a shoestring budget. It will be the same at City,he will be given very little to spend I'd say.

[disgruntled]

Fenn will hopefully get us playing a better brand of football but as for better results I am not so sure.
He didn't exactly set the world on fire at Longford. Admittedly he was operating on a shoestring budget. It will be the same at City,he will be given very little to spend I'd say.

I think he'll get more at City than he did at Longford but he'll be operating at a higher level.
I think most will be happy as long as the style of football improves.

[Nesta99]

UCD play a decent style of football, would that keep most happy based on UCD's season so far?

[El-Pietro]

I have been very consistent, I don't care about the style over the results. If the same results can be achieved with more flowing football then cool, but I don't think there is a "right way" to play football. My favourite esthetic was always quick transition football and I find teams like peak Spain extremely boring to watch, 90s Man United were incredible to watch but they never cared about possession.

I don't think Fenn will achieve half of what Caulfield did, and I don't think the expectations will be quite so high either.

[rebel]

The style of play would be important to me because it was always thrown at us by Dundalk that we were a hoofball team. It's one of the reasons why I actually prefer the 2005 league winning team to the 2017 side.
The 2005 side were very entertaining to watch.

[CorribsideSteve]

The style of play would be important to me because it was always thrown at us by Dundalk that we were a hoofball team. It's one of the reasons why I actually prefer the 2005 league winning team to the 2017 side.
The 2005 side were very entertaining to watch.

Not just Dundalk. Fenn was playing recently enough to have some understanding of modern football, which would likely have influence on his management and how he sees the game. Will keep an interested eye on how Fenn does with the style of football.

[El-Pietro]

The style of play would be important to me because it was always thrown at us by Dundalk that we were a hoofball team. It's one of the reasons why I actually prefer the 2005 league winning team to the 2017 side.
The 2005 side were very entertaining to watch.

The 2005 side had a reputation for "good football" but they were built on an incredible defense and actually scored only 53 goals in 33 games.
2014 Cork City - 51 goals, 33 games.
2015 Cork City - 57 goals, 33 games.
2016 Cork City - 65 goals, 33 games.
2017 Cork City - 67 goals, 33 games.
2018 Cork City - 71 goals, 36 games.

I'm not saying any of these teams is objectively better than the 2005 teams based on goals scored, for one I think the standard in the league was higher in the mid-2000s due to the influx of players from the UK due to the crash of the ITV deal,just that they weren't exactly the offensive juggernaut people remember them as. Personally I prefer more goals and chances, though I certaily appreciate a solid defensive team and the 2005 team was incredible defensively.

You shouldn't worry about what other teams fans, or the media think. If you don't enjoy the football thats fair enough, if you care more about other peoples opinions on the style of football then I can't really help you.

[seand]

Funny enough Fenn and Perth are on the exact same coaching course, so they'll get a good look at each others methods over the next few months. Is there someone lined up for the John Gill badge holding role til Fenn gets his course done some time next year?

[El-Pietro]

Funny enough Fenn and Perth are on the exact same coaching course, so they'll get a good look at each others methods over the next few months. Is there someone lined up for the John Gill badge holding role til Fenn gets his course done some time next year?
Frank Kelleher is in that position at the moment. John Cotter is on the same course. Rumours on our forum that the FAI are going to revert to the UEFA standard allowing someone on the course to fulfill the manager/head coach role which was the situation before this season.

[Nesta99]

The style of play would be important to me because it was always thrown at us by Dundalk that we were a hoofball team. It's one of the reasons why I actually prefer the 2005 league winning team to the 2017 side.
The 2005 side were very entertaining to watch.

While there was some slaging between fans I dont think Dundalk threw too much at Cork for their style of play. It was very effective and we couldnt buy a win in Turners Cross for a spell not to mention taking cup finals to extra time and the league being nip and tuck most of the seasons bar 2017. Most of the criticism was media and pundit driven. If anything any friction between the clubs, managers, and supporters was due to a begrudging respect as a result of the close rivalry. It was acknowledged by Cork fans that if results went south then the style of football would be in for added criticism. Cork fans were probably more critical of the style of play than Dundalk fans were. I'm still quite surprised how much it has got under the skins of Cork fans. Double winners for the first time less than 2 years ago, cup wins after years of turmoil. A draw against St Pats made retaining the league tough in August and the tides turned very quickly for Caulfield, though maybe Cork fans anticipated some of what lay ahead?. I wouldnt have given a damn how we played if we were winning titles or cared what anyone else thought - then I did cut my LoI teeth watching Turlough O'Connors 1 nil specials and was one of many tortured watching 1st Division football at its worst!

[rebel]

I dont think Dundalk threw too much at Cork for their style of play.

I wouldn't agree with you at all there.

[Ezeikial]

I wouldn't agree with you at all there.

Even Cork fans became highly critical of the style of play once the slide happened after 2017.

[sullanefc]

Even Cork fans became highly critical of the style of play once the slide happened after 2017.
City fans were critical of the style before even that. Maguire's goals and the cup win in 2016 followed by the double in 2017 were a godsend for Caulfield and silenced the critics for a spell, but they were always there.

[sullanefc]

On Neale Fenn's appointment, he is talking about playing good football at least, something that the pragmatic Caulfield never did. Whether he will be successful or not remains to be seen.

For me, when I go to games, I don't want to be bored to tears watching a centre half or full back launching it to the head of the centre forward and scrapping for the 50-50s.

Based on last nights game, Fenn has a huge rebuilding job to do and he basically needs to sign a whole new team. The majority of our lads have gone stale and you'd wonder about their appetite for the game.

Then again, it's amazing what a bit of coaching can do. City reject, Ronan Coughlan looked like a superstar last night and is obviously flourishing under Liam Buckley, but then again, they are 6th in the table and we could have leapfrogged them last night despite our wretched season.

You want something in between Buckley and Caulfield. Hopefully Fenn is the answer.

[sullanefc]

Before Fenn's appointment, I had heard Stephen Rice speaking in an interview where he gave a great insight into coaching and his views on the game and I was impressed. He sounded like someone who could be a good manager in the future and I half hoped he might be in the running for the City job.

What are Shamrock Rovers fans views on him? How is he getting on with the u19s?

[sbgawa]

Very well thought of and the 19s are playing some nice football. Definite future manager of rovers I would say but will probably have to go elsewhere first.
Very clear when watching the 19s around him at matches how much respect they have for him

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Before Fenn's appointment, I had heard Stephen Rice speaking in an interview where he gave a great insight into coaching and his views on the game and I was impressed. He sounded like someone who could be a good manager in the future and I half hoped he might be in the running for the City job.

What are Shamrock Rovers fans views on him? How is he getting on with the u19s?

He almost seems like the development/education and everything else that comes with coaching academy teams is the side that interests him more than the management side that you get as a first team manager. Wouldn't be surprised to see him stay in academy roles maybe with a coach development role at the FAI or something too.