Bohemians insist Fenlon can achieve more by staying put

BOHEMIANS have warned Dundee United that they will have to match their substantial valuation of manager Pat Fenlon – and could struggle to meet his ambitions.

United yesterday requested permission to speak to Fenlon, although some reports claim chairman Stephen Thompson has already held initial discussions with the former Shelbourne manager, who has won five of the last seven League of Ireland titles.

Bohemians are awaiting a compensation agreement before they give their blessing to any discussions but the Dublin club have also warned that they can offer more scope for Fenlon to make his name on the European stage.

Bohemians honorary secretary Gerry Conway said: "We have ambitions to get to the group stages of the Champions League. With all due respect to Dundee United, they will possibly never get to play in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Maybe with Pat in charge they might.

"We have major ambitions which Pat is central to. We have a high valuation of Pat for what he has contributed to this club."

Conway added: "Peterborough, in the last couple of months, approached Pat but he declined that offer."

United will pursue their interest in the 40-year-old but there are still others in the frame. United communications director Derek Robertson said: "We have requested permission to speak to a manager and we have been given permission. But we have still got a number of names to consider."

Other potential candidates include Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn and former United pair Michael O'Neill, now at Shamrock Rovers, and Billy McKinlay, currently Fulham's reserve manager.