Danny Lennon reveals how mental toil of struggle to get back into management saw him 'run away' to Malaysia
New Airdrie boss had set up a new life in the idyllic island of Penang - but is now back in his favourite place in the dug out.
Scottish football had been Danny Lennon’s home for four decades. But for the first time as he hit his mid-50s he felt like he had to run and leave it all behind.
Quite how far he’d go to get away from the noise, stress, frustration and rejection as he tried to get back in the management game might have surprised even Lennon himself.
Yet, ironically, it was only a few months after trekking SIX THOUSAND miles to set up a new life with his family in idyllic Malaysia that the realisation hammered home for the Raith Rovers legend and St Mirren hall of Famer.
That what he was running away from was exactly the thing that he needed most. Lennon is finally back in the dug out with Airdrieonians after three years of applying, interviewing and ultimately missing out since his exit from Clyde.
His CV stacks up. He’s led all four clubs he’s managed permanently - Cowdenbeath, St Mirren, Alloa and the Bully Wee - to success most notably the Buddies’ sensational League Cup triumph in 2013.
That’s why repeatedly missing out on jobs he knew he was well qualified for stung. Constantly answering the same questions from well-meaning pals got tiring.
To the point he fled and accepted an academy coaching job and a new life in the stunning Malaysian seaside surrounds of Penang Island.
It was an idyllic lifestyle waking up every morning on the coast of the Andaman Sea - as far removed as he could imagine from the cold reality of the game which had been Lennon’s career as player and boss in less peaceful footballing resorts of Leith, Kirkcaldy, Maryhill, Ayr, Cowdenbeath and Paisley.
But as much as he loved the culture and scenery, the 56-year-old still craved the hustle and bustle of what he knew best.
Lennon spoke to Record Sport this week ahead of Friday night’s late defeat at another of his old clubs, Partick Thistle.
And there was no hiding his excitement at being back in the game. He said: “Since coming in here, I'm like a wee kid at Christmas. Can’t sleep. Getting up and planning the day.
“I can’t wait to come through the doors. Because it’s been a long three years. People would constantly ask, ‘where have you been and what are you doing if you’re not managing?’
“Well, it wasn’t for the lack of trying and applying for jobs and getting to the table but repeatedly not getting over the line.
“With my experience and track record, I was really getting down and frustrated with how things were going and the lack of opportunity.
“It got to a point where I started doubting myself. Any time I put in a CV I’d ask, why is that not getting me over the line?
“There was a trend where a lot of clubs were putting younger managers, younger coaches with good potential in place.
“I’m not saying that is right or that is wrong. Listen, good luck to the people that got these gigs if they did better in the interview than me.
“But when I look back and I see how their CV stacks up to mine..
“At 55, I was feeling like an old man even though I was relatively young for a manager.
“I got very, very frustrated, wondering what have I done wrong? And I have to be say.. I ran away.
“I ran away from the noise and the speculation. Because when jobs came up, everybody I met, whether in the gym, down the town, whoever I met, I was constantly reminded. It just got to me.”
Lennon could never have believed how far he ran right enough. Together with wife Yvonne and youngest son Kruz the Lennons pitched up in Penang after he was offered a coaching job at an academy run by a former colleague.
He said: “Let me tell you, when you're over there you don't hear that noise. It’s a totally different part of the universe. You don't hear of Celtic and Rangers.
“They've not even heard of U2 over there! I was gutted! But once I got there, honestly, I absolutely fell in love with it. The lifestyle and experience.
“Immersing myself in these diverse cultures, broadening my perspective, it's been invaluable to how I approach coaching and life.
“We had everything that I would like to wake up every morning to. We lived in a beautiful big apartment. Condos, they called them there.
“They're like hotels you would go to on holiday, the only thing they never had was the entertainment at night! They had fantastic gymnasium and wellness facilities, golf, tennis courts, everything there for you.
“We were looking onto beautiful scenery, the Andaman Sea, it was an amazing experience. I visited Thailand three times, over to Vietnam, Singapore and my favourite of all was Japan.
“We went there for my son Kruz’s 18th birthday because he is a big Celtic fan. He loved Kyogo. So we went to Osaka, and we went to Kobe where he played. They couldn't have entertained us any better.
“We went to the place where the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach was filmed in Thailand. It was an incredible time.”
But for all the other-world beauty it was the rough-edged but no less loveable charm of Scottish football that soon had the Raith Rovers legend pining for a home.
His enthusiasm for being back in his favourite environment shines through. He breaks off from our chat to bark some banter at a younger member of his Diamonds squad who is on coffee duty ahead of training .. “don’t spit in mine.. and absolutely don’t do the salt prank!”
It’s like Lennon has never been away. He admits: “As much as I ran away from it, I quickly realised within three to four months that I needed it.
“I was still applying for jobs and having to get up at two in the morning for interviews because we were seven hours ahead.
“So I’m absolutely delighted I have this opportunity. Do I have anything to prove? Yes - to myself.
“I’m not getting the fiddle out here. When I look at my time at St Mirren, I was a wee bit raw in the way things ended.
“To not get offered a new contract a year after winning the cup and after a season where we finished eighth in the Premiership.. I felt let down there at the end.
“I gave my whole life to that football club. For four years, 24-7, putting my family aside, my wife. And I'm not ashamed to admit that.
“Would I do it again? Probably not. I know the most important things in my life. But I need football. I need that adrenaline.”
Since returning to Scotland in May and before taking the Airdrie job Lennon was doing lifestyle coaching and motivation work for ex-St Johnstone director David Beaton. Lennon said: "David reached out and made contact and it wasn't that I’d go in and be manager but possibly assistant or running the academy. When I came back and none of that came to fruition, he invited me down to his company, AIIR Environmental. He's no longer at St Johnstone, but when I came back and things were a wee bit challenged, because there'd been no income coming in, David gave me a rolling contract and a retainer every month. He didn't have to do that, but he's a people's person."
Now though, Lennon is hungry to deliver for Airdrie - and reckons the Diamonds have the recipe for success.
He said: “There’s a great group of people here led by Paul Hetherington, the chairman, who have a vision and professionalism that makes it an exciting place to be.
“It certainly lays strong foundations for real progress. And I must say Rhys did a fantastic job over the last few years to help that.
“You must have ambition as a club, as a group, and always striving to improve and compete at the highest level that we can.
“So this season, my realistic aim is to help the team compete consistently in this tough Championship.
“I’m getting to know a talented group of players who give any manager the right ingredients to work with.
“And like a chef, it's up to me then how you decide to combine those ingredients.
“Football inevitably has its bitter moments, it's got its sweet moments, and it's certainly got its disappointments as we all know.
“We want to make our supporters proud every time that we have the pleasure of playing for them, and their passion is our greatest motivation. That must fuel our ambition and commitment every time we step onto the pitch.”