Malky Mackay sends message to Hibs coach after Easter Road exit confirmed with 'grateful' assessment
Hibs have confirmed an exit from the backroom following their new manager hire.
Assistant John Potter has left Hibs following the arrival of new manager Marink Reedijk, the club have confirmed.
The experienced coach returned to Hibs in the summer to aid head coach David Gray, who was sacked last week, following a defeat to Kilmarnock in the Premiership. Potter took interim charge of the team for last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Aberdeen, but with Reedijk hired by the club on Thursday, the 46-year-old has now departed for a second time. He was previously Jack Ross' number two during his managerial tenure at the club between 2019-2021.
Sporting director Malky Mackay said: “We’re very grateful to John for his dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and the professionalism and commitment during this transitional period. John stepped up and led the club for our last match against Aberdeen, and everyone wishes him the very best for the future.”
Hibs on John Potter
Reedijk has brought with him Dutch coach Rogier Molhoek while Liam Craig and Craig Samson have all recently departed the backroom team at Hibs. A club statement adds: "Hibernian FC can today confirm the departure of John Potter as Assistant First Team Coach. John joined the club in June 2026 and stepped into the position of Interim Head Coach for our most recent William Hill Premiership fixture against Aberdeen last week. All the very best for the future, Potts."
Potter said after the draw with Aberdeen: “There's a good group of players that really, really work hard every day. They train well.
“They always give 100 per cent. There's absolutely no doubt. It doesn't always go our way and it's not the last little while, but that's those small percentages that can go either way in a game by a missed chance or a red card or whatever that needs to be.
John Potter on Hibs
“Those small things maybe didn't go our way. But that's not through a lack of effort and it never has been since I've been in here at the club anyway. In terms of that, the group of players, there is a little break. Hopefully, we can get some players back fit and available. As I said, there's a good group of players that are willing to work hard and try and win games.
“I think in terms of the game, we had some good moments. The second half was much better. I still think in the first half we got into good areas, but didn't maybe commit that extra body or a bit sloppy with the extra pass. But the second half was much better.
“The one thing I would say, I think if anyone was going to win it, I did think we were pushing for that. But Aberdeen are a massive threat going the other way on the break, so we had to keep numbers back just to make sure that they didn't hit us going the other way. So, yeah, probably a fair result, but maybe a little bit disappointed that we couldn't get the winner.”