Shaun Maloney’s Hibs exit followed bitter exchange with Ben Kensell heard by stunned stars as chiefs feared RELEGATION
HIBERNIAN owner Ron Gordon sacked Shaun Maloney amid fears that he could get the club RELEGATED.
But the rookie boss did not go quietly as yet another manager was handed his P45 at the Easter Road club.
The 39-year-old’s disastrous 120-day, 19-game reign was brought to an abrupt 10am end at East Mains on Tuesday morning.
SunSport understands it followed a bitter exchange between Maloney and chief executive Ben Kensell within earshot of the stunned squad as they prepared for training.
The move followed Saturday’s 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to rivals Hearts at Hampden, killing off their hopes of playing in Europe next season.
But it was Hibs’ league form — with just three wins in 15 games — and slide into the bottom six that was the main factor.
Read more Hibs stories
Gordon and Kensell feared keeping Maloney could see them dragged towards the play-off spot, as happened when the club last went down under Terry Butcher in 2014.
Alarming season-ticket sales ahead of next term and poor walk-up figures on match days were further factors.
And the former Celtic player’s manner with staff around the training ground was cited as yet another cause for concern.
Maloney, for his part, is alleged to have been unhappy with a lack of transfer support from those above him, leading to his exchange with Kensell.
Most read in Football
He was led to believe he’d get a bigger share of Martin Boyle’s £3million switch to Al Faisaly in January to sign a proper replacement.
The board’s reluctance to hand contracts to players he wanted to deal in also led to a deterioration in their working relationship.
It all means that Hibs are now looking for a 16th permanent boss since 2000.
Ex-Hibee Kevin Thomson, who has just led Kelty Hearts to the League Two title, Ross County’s Malky Mackay, Celtic No 2 John Kennedy and Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes are all in the frame.
Maloney’s entire backroom team of assistant Gary Caldwell, Valerio Zuddas and Brian Doogan were also axed.
First-team coach David Gray will take the team until the end of the season, assisted by Eddie May and goalkeeping coach Jon Busch.
BETTING SPECIAL - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS AND FREE BETS
Gordon said: “Our hope in appointing Shaun Maloney as a young, highly-regarded coach was that he would help us take the club forward, but ultimately that has not been the case.
“We thank Shaun and his coaching staff for all their hard work and efforts and wish them all the best for the future.”
A move for Kennedy would be the third time Hibs had targeted the Celts coach.
Gordon wanted him before eventually appointing Jack Ross in November 2019.
There was more interest in Kennedy before his close pal Maloney was confirmed as Ross’ successor last December.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
It remains to be seen if the bookies’ favourite could yet be persuaded to head for Leith.
SunSport believes Steve Clarke’s Scotland assistant John Carver, 57, is also keen to be considered by the Hibs board as he seeks a return to full-time football.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page