HIBS have appointed Malky Mackay as their new sporting director.
The Easter Road club have made the huge announcement just hours after dismissing Nick Montgomery from his role as manager.
Mackay, 52, has been out of football since last November when he was sacked as boss of Ross County.
Montgomery was axed as manager this morning.
Club legend David Gray stepped in for a FOURTH spell as caretaker manager for the remaining two games of the season against Motherwell tomorrow and Livingston on Sunday.
But the vastly experienced Mackay will now lead the search for the latest managerial appointment and oversee the club’s whole football operation, from recruitment through to the academy.
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He already has a home in Edinburgh and has close links with key members of the Hibees hierarchy.
Hibs are owned by the family of the late Ron Gordon and also recently welcomed major investment from Bournemouth majority shareholder Bill Foley.
On Mackay’s appointment, the Gordon family said: “We’d like to welcome Malky and believe he will be a huge asset to our club and the football department.
“As the board conducted the football review, it became clear to everyone that not only did we need someone with experience of the Scottish game, but also a person who could help drive us forward both strategically and operationally.
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“Early in the recruitment process Malky discussed his strategic vision for Hibs and the necessary framework to deliver success. Everyone at the Club looks forward to working with him.”
In recent years Mackay has been linked with the manager’s job but he’ll now work upstairs when the reshuffled is confirmed.
Montgomery’s exit came on the back of the Hibees 4-0 defeat to Aberdeen at the weekend.
Assistant coach Sergio Raimundo and goalkeeping coach Miguel Miranda were also fired.
And Monty’s departure has heaped huge pressure on chief executive Ben Kensell as he gets set to appoint the club’s FIFTH manager in five years.
After the announcement of ex-Sheffield United ace Montgomery’s exit, the Gordon family said: “As a board this was not a decision we made lightly, but felt it a necessary one to move the team forward.
“Although Nick and his coaching team worked tirelessly, their efforts didn’t deliver the results we had hoped for.
“We’d like to thank Nick, Sergio, and Miguel for all of their hard work and dedication, and wish them all the best for the future.”
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Derek McInnes is the bookies’ favourite to become next Hibs boss with Neil Lennon another serious contender.
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