BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
FORMER Hibs boss Pat Fenlon has returned to football after joining ambitious Irish club Waterford United.
The 47-year-old has been named director of football of The Blues following a takeover by Lee Power, the owner of Swindon Town whose own playing career included a stint at Easter Road.
Ex-Cork and Derry City coach Alan Reynolds has been appointed manager as part of a wide-ranging shake-up, with Waterford aiming to immediately return to the Irish Premier League following their relegation last term.
It is Fenlon’s first role in the game since leaving his position at Shamrock Rovers in July 2016, while he was recently linked with a coaching role – at Gaelic football club Kilbride GFC.
He said: “I am delighted to be involved in such an exciting project. Waterford has always been a great football city, with a fabulous history.
“Being director of football is a new and exciting role for me and I would like to thank Lee Power for giving me the opportunity to put the structures in place to bring the club forward.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Alan Reynolds and will support him and the other technical staff in our efforts to bring success to the club.”
Fenlon, a five-time Irish Premier League winner as boss of Bohemians and Shelbourne, was in charge of Hibs between 2011 and 2013, guiding the club to two Scottish Cup finals.
However, he struggled to escape the stigma of a 5-1 defeat to Hearts in the 2012 final and a 9-0 aggregate defeat against Malmo in the Europa League.
