New Hibs boss appointed - and Marink Reedijk tells Easter Road fans what they can expect from 'brave' team
Young up-and-coming Dutch coach hailed as ‘stand-out candidate’ by Ian Gordon
Hibs have appointed Marink Reedijk as their new head coach. And club owner Ian Gordon has hailed the 35-year-old Dutchman as “the stand-out candidate” to succeed sacked legend David Gray.
Reeidkj, who led SK Beveren to an undefeated title-winning season in the Belgian second tier before stepping down at the end of the campaign, promised to deliver an “assertive” brand of football to Easter Road – vowing that his Hibs will be “brave, intense and committed.”
Reedijk, who will be joined by assistant Rogier Molhoek, said: “I am honoured to be appointed manager of Hibernian Football Club. This is one of the biggest clubs in Scottish football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.
‘Ambition and clarity’
“I can feel the ambition and see the clarity of what the club is trying to achieve. That was a big part of what attracted me here.
“I want us to be an assertive team - brave, intense and committed. A team that gives everything, plays with purpose and gives our supporters something to really get behind.
“There is quality and potential in the squad, and good work has already been done. My first job is to get to know the players, build on those foundations and make sure we are ready for Dundee United.”
Executive chairman Gordon, who led a recruitment process that concluded with in-person interviews with leading candidates in London earlier this week, added: “Marink was the standout candidate. He impressed everyone involved in the process with his clarity, intelligence and drive.
“He shares our ambition to develop players and consistently compete at the top end of Scottish football and in Europe. Marink has our backing, and we will continue to invest in the team to give him the best possible platform to succeed. We’re delighted to welcome Marink and his family to the Club.”
Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay said supporters should expect to “dynamic” football under the new gaffer, insisting: “Marink’s appointment is an exciting moment for Hibernian Football Club. We began this process with a clear idea of the type of team we want to continue to build and the qualities we wanted from our next manager.
“Marink’s football philosophy, his work with players and his leadership style are strongly aligned with that. His teams are proactive, high energy and dynamic.
“What also stands out is his ability to develop individuals and create a strong collective environment. This is not about changing the direction of our football strategy. It is about continuing to evolve it, and we believe Marink is an excellent fit to take the team forward.”