Former Hibs boss hits instant success at new club as he delivers 23-year first in shock cup final win
The former Easter Road gaffer led his new side to their first Chinese FA Super Cup since 2003.
Nick Montgomery has had an instant impact at Chinese outfit, Beijing Guoan as he helped them win their third ever FA Super Cup.
The former Hibs manager took over at the start of the year but hadn’t been in the dugout for a competitive game until Sunday’s Cup Final against Shanghai Port as league action returns this weekend. In the pouring rain, Guoan won 2-0 against Kevin Muscat’s side, thanks to goals from Brazillian midfielder Dawhan and substitute winger Cao Yongjing.
It was a dream start to life in the Chinese capital for Montgomery, whose side will go into this season on -5 points after a deduction due to previous scandals. Their Shanghai opponents will also go into the upcoming season with a points deduction but are still one of the favourites, having been champions last season.
Montgomery’s instant impact
The Chinese FA Super Cup is played between the previous League champions and FA Cup winners, which Guoan won last season by defeating Henan FC 3-0 in the 2025 final. Played at a neutral venue - the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre - over 40,000 spectators watched Montgomery’s side reign supreme in the biblical conditions.
Muscat, who was linked with the Rangers vacancy earlier in the season, has led Shanghai Port to two of their last three Super League titles on the spin. Despite the recent dominance of the Australian’s side, Guoan were able to defy the odds in a match they deserved to win judging by the statistics, as Port weren’t able to register a single shot on target.
On a personal level for Montgomery, it’s the second piece of silverware he’s won as a manager, having previously helped Central Coast Mariners to the A-League Championship in the 2022-23 season. He wasn’t as successful at Easter Road, where he was sacked in May 2024 after less than a year in charge as he failed to secure Hibs a top half finish in the Scottish Premiership.
Montgomery on historic cup win
After helping Guoan to their first Chinese FA Super Cup in 23 years, Montgomery said: "I am proud of all the players, especially the old players for creating a real family environment for new players to adapt. It's not fair to single out any individual player for the win as all the players did their best.”
Meanwhile, Muscat alluded to the injury problems his side currently have in his post-match interview. He claimed: "We had a lot of changes but that's not about making excuses, I am sure we will get better in this part of the game, we will get stronger."
Beijing Guoan will open their 2026 Chinese Super League season by visiting Wuhan Three Towns on March 8, while Shanghai Port will start their title defence by hosting Henan FC on March 7. The season will finish in mid-November.