HIBS have SACKED boss Lee Johnson in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to Livingston.
The under-fire boss had lost ALL THREE of his SPFL Premiership matches this season leaving the Easter Road side BOTTOM of the top flight.
They were also hammered 5-0 at home to Aston Villa in the Europa League on Wednesday – and club bosses called a short notice board meeting to act.
Johnson walked out of a post-match interview yesterday after being quizzed on his future.
And he spent the aftermath of the Livi loss pleading for more time with his players.
But Hibees bosses have pulled the trigger and placed David Gray in temporary charge.
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Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen have also left with immediate effect.
Stuart Garden will also assist caretaker Gray for the match at Villa Park on Thursday.
The club legend scored the Scottish Cup winner in 2016 and has been stand-in boss before.
Chief Executive Ben Kensell said: “The Club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.
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“We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”
Sunsport understands unhappy Easter Road chiefs called a board meeting at short notice to discuss the team’s alarming Premiership form.
Saturday’s third straight league defeat to Livingston – the second at home after the opening day loss to St Mirren – has left the Hibees bottom despite Johnson being backed heavily in the transfer market with close to a £2 million spend.
It came just days after a 5-0 Europa Conference League play-off, first leg drubbing from Premier League Aston Villa at Easter Road – but there was sympathy for the under fire Johnson given the huge difference in budgets and player quality between his and Unai Emery’s squad.
However Hibs fans are irate over the domestic form while at the very start of the Euro action they were also livid with a humiliating qualifying first leg 2-1 defeat to Andorran minnows Inter Club D’Escaldes.
Johnson’s men eventually saw off Inter with a 6-1 hammering in Leith.
Owners the Gordon family allowed the manager to make significant moves to strengthen his squad pre-season, including the £600,000 permanent capture of loan success Elie Youan, £700,000 on Dutch frontman Dylan Vente and £300,000 on Welsh international midfielder Dylan Levitt.
But while they beat Raith Rovers in the Viaplay Cup to make the quarter-finals where they have a home game against St Mirren at the end of next month, league performances have been dire and provoked supporters’ fury.
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Now, the board has a made a major call to sack Johnson and start the search for a fourth manager in just 20-months .
After Villa on Thursday night, Hibs have two tough away league matches at Aberdeen on Sunday and then Kilmarnock immediately after the international break.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page