Pat Fenlon believes togetherness and solidity is what's needed to turn around Hibernian's fortunes.
Fenlon determined to get Easter Road club back on track
Pat Fenlon believes togetherness and solidity is what's needed at Hibernian to turn around the club's fortunes.
The 42-year-old was
named the new Hibs manager on Friday, joining on a two-and-a-half-year contract from Bohemians.
Fenlon won five league titles and three cup competitions during a nine-year managerial career in Ireland and succeeds Colin Calderwood, who was sacked earlier this month after 12 months in charge.
Hibs are fourth bottom of the SPL heading into Saturday's trip to St Johnstone, with Fenlon set to watch from the stands.
And while improving results is the immediate aim, the new boss insists that only gaining stability at Easter Road will improve the club's long-term future.
"Results are important and that's the goal immediately - to try to change that," he said.
"We've got to try to get a bit of togetherness back in the club, with the players, everybody else and the supporters. That's what we'll try and build in a short period of time."
Fenlon is Hibs' fifth manager in four seasons and ninth in 10 years, which include the likes of Alex McLeish, Tony Mowbray, John Collins, Mixu Paatelainen and John Hughes.
Big club
And asked whether this is the biggest challenge of his career so far, Fenlon added: "Very much so, it's a big club and a big club that's not playing well at the moment and struggling.
"It's a challenge to take them up the table, definitely. I'm here to work hard and try to put the thing right. There's been too many managers and the turnover is too much for a club like Hibs.
"That's something I've got to try to stop. It needs a bit of solidity. If you keep chopping and changing it's difficult to get that."
While unveiling Fenlon, Hibs chairman Rod Petrie highlighted the fact that in the last seven seasons they have had the most top-six finishes outside the Old Firm.
And although last term's 10th-place finish has been followed by a poor start to the current campaign, a top-six spot looks to be the aim this season.
Hibs have had one league win at home since February while some have perceived the team as being lightweight, but Fenlon insists that will change.
Hard work
"They certainly won't be soft under me," he said. "We'll work on that and the only way to work on that is by working hard on the training ground. We'll rectify that fairly quickly.
"I firmly believe there are some really good players.
"Playing at home has become a bit of a problem for them," Fenlon added.
"That's something we've got to work on, to give them the confidence to come and play here.
"That's what they've got to get back to, just enjoying their football and playing at home, getting the people behind you rather than after you."
