Mark Kennedy’s Lincoln City are currently situated in the middle of England’s third tier. Though their aspirations lie in higher divisions, their supporters enthusiastically embrace their recent League Cup performances, including an impressive showing last season that was only halted by Premier League contestants Southampton.
Lincoln has demonstrated their capability as a formidable cup side under the guidance of Mark Kennedy. The former Ireland international emphasizes that their form in these competitions exemplifies the essence of the club.
“We’ve established a distinct identity. We’ve been extensively discussing roles and responsibilities this year, and everyone possesses a clear understanding of our collective purpose and values. While the cup games provide encouragement, they are merely a continuation of our ongoing efforts,” stated Kennedy prior to City’s recent victory over Sheffield United.
Kennedy, 47, made waves early in his professional career with a £2 million move to Liverpool, making him the most expensive teenager in British football history. Despite struggling to make an impact at Anfield, he continued his playing journey with various clubs including Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Cardiff, and Ipswich, before retiring 12 years ago.
While many of his compatriots pursued media roles and took their time before entering the managerial realm, Kennedy dove right into coaching at the grassroots level. He gained experience with former clubs Ipswich, Manchester City, and Wolves, primarily working with their academies and strengthening his credentials in the process.
Managing Covid challenges, Kennedy had a valuable learning experience during his time as the manager of Macclesfield Town, which unfortunately resulted in relegation. Following a one-year stint as an assistant at Birmingham City, he returned to his position as a manager and was appointed as the boss of Lincoln in 2022. The team performed admirably last season, earning the adoration of the fans with an impressive 11th-place finish. However, they have faced more difficulties recently, securing only one point in their last three matches.
Apart from Kennedy’s presence as manager, Irish accents resonate throughout the club. Defender Seán Roughan, aged 20, signed professional terms in 2020 after catching the eye while playing for Dublin side Phoenix FC.
Paudie O’Connor, a former League of Ireland player aged 26, joined Lincoln in 2022 following spells with Leeds United and Bradford City. At the beginning of this season, Kennedy appointed the Limerick native as the team’s captain, stating, “He should be very proud of himself; it’s a thoroughly deserved honor. We have several leaders, but it was crucial to choose the right captain to represent the club, and Paudie fulfills that role,” said Kennedy.
Danny Mandroiu, 24, also joined the club during the same period. However, he has been sidelined due to injury since the beginning of this month and is not expected to recover in time to face West Ham. On the other hand, O’Connor, Roughan, and Duffy are likely to feature in the match and relish the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
For Kennedy, this game presents another opportunity to measure himself against top-tier coaches like David Moyes.
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