Neil Lennon looks set to be come the shock new manager of Dunfermline with the remit of keeping them in the Championship.
The Pars needed a new boss following the sacking of Michael Tidser after just eight weeks in charge, after he had moved from Kelty Hearts to take the reins.
The Championship outfit paid compensation to their Fife numbers after identifying the former Morton midfielder as the man they wanted but it didn’t work out.
We looked at eight candidates for the job, including ex-Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell and former Hearts manager Steven Naismith.
Not many would have assumed Lennon to be in the running given he is a former Celtic, Hibs and Omonia Nicosia manager. His last job was at Romanian giants Rapid Bucharest who would be paying more than your typical Championship wage.
But after bookies odds on Lennon going to East End Park dropped dramatically yesterday it was then reported he was close to getting the job.
The Daily Record say the 53-year-old has been offered a “bumper” deal to take over and is on the brink of accepting it.
It is claimed new Pars owners James Bord and Evan Sofer are offering the Celtic legend significant incentives to try and keep them in the division on a short-term deal.
Lennon’s first game could be against his old captain Scott Brown, with Dunfermline and Ayr United due to meet next weekend.
Lennon has tough job on his hands
Lennon will become the third manager of the Fife club’s season after James McPake and then Tidser was sacked.
The Pars have struggled on their return to the second tier after promotion from League One two years ago.
Last year they did end up finishing sixth but only three points above the relegation play-off spot.
They now sit ninth and in a battle to avoid the drop against Airdrie, Hamilton Accies and Queen’s Park.