Lincoln City: Results not reason for Mark Kennedy sacking, says CEO
- Published
- comments
Mark Kennedy replaced Michael Appleton as Lincoln City boss in May 2022
Mark Kennedy's public criticism of midfielder Danny Mandroiu and not Lincoln City's results were among the reasons the head coach was sacked, says Imps chief executive Liam Scully.
Kennedy had said Mandroiu could become "just another statistic" unless he changes his approach.
The midfielder had been sent off in Lincoln's defeat by Burton - the Imps' third loss in four league games.
"Certainly, it was not purely a results-based decision," Scully said.
"Of course we are ambitious and our aim is to be higher in the table at this moment in time, but it is very early on in the season and there are lots of mitigating factors.
"One thing we want to be clear on is that we are not naive, this is about winning but this isn't purely about results. Far from it."
Kennedy, 47, became the first Lincoln manager in almost nine years to be dismissed rather than leave by mutual consent or move to another club.
In an interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Scully added that style of play and development of talent under Kennedy were reasons for parting ways on Wednesday.
And while trying to avoid "a warts and all" explanation, Scully went on to say that Kennedy's treatment of Mandroiu was also among the reasons.
"One thing I can say, and please let's not let this run away, but I don't think it was helpful in terms of our characterisation of Danny Mandroiu after the game," Scully said.
"Is that part of it? Yes. Is that the reason? No.
"I keep going back to it, and I know I will bore people saying this, but there are many different facets and parts of this.
"This is looking at it from an elevated pitch, the progress that we are making and not necessarily the progress we have made so far, but how do we hit the measures we would like to achieve going forward?
"And fundamentally that was why we felt it was in the best interests of all parties."
Kennedy was just 11 leagues games into his second season with the club, and had the Imps 16th in the League One table - five points off the play-off spots and seven clear of the relegation places.
The former and Republic of Ireland, Liverpool, Manchester City and Wolves winger guided them to an 11th place finish last term, his first in senior management.
"Mark and Danny [assistant Danny Butterfield] in many parts did what was asked of them, and above and beyond," added Scully.
"We are very grateful for them doing that, but this is about about Lincoln City here and now and going forward as well.
"We will never do anything knee jerk at Lincoln City, certainly not with Clive Nates at the helm. We are process driven in terms of looking at the overall objective of the football club."
Is a new mafia getting rich on our waste? Take a deep dive into one of the worst environmental crimes in UK history
Do you know the third instalment in these trilogies? Test your knowledge with this fun quiz
