Who is Marink Reedijk? The leading next Hibs manager contender with Champions League dream and four languages
An insight into what Hibs can expect if the Belgian becomes their new head coach.
Marink Reedijk has emerged as a leading contender to become the next head coach of Hibs - but just who is the 34-year-old Dutchman?
David Gray’s sacking last week has brought about a swift search for who comes next. The former Beveren boss is said to have impressed a hiring crew headed up by Easter Road executive chairman Ian Gordon as talks begin over who’ll take charge of the first team.
A variety of names have already been linked while preliminary talks have been held with Ryan Mason, Michel Kniat, Stephen Bradley, Vesa Vasara and Jon Dahl Tomasson, amongst others. Reedijk has emerged as a strong contender though and here’s all you need to know.
Who is Marink Reedijk?
Born in December 1992, Reedijk does not have a playing career to call upon, but few next Hibs manager contenders have been as well educated, He earned a master's degree in Coaching Science from the University of the West of England and went on to become a Doctor of Philosophy in Sports Coaching from Cardiff Metropolitan University. His 2021 thesis focused on phenomenological approaches to improving football coaching practice, where Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus was referenced, showing the value of focusing on internal responses rather than external circumstances. It’s a principal he’s taken into his working and daily life. Reedijk also speaks Spanish, Dutch, German and English.
His football journey began with the Dutch Football Association and then Ajax, returning to Amsterdam after time in the West Brom youth system, where he was while still a student. During his time at the Dutch giant, he aided the development of several promising talents who have become household names beyond Ajax, including midfielders Donny van de Beek and Ryan Gravenberch, defender Matthijs de Ligt, and forward Brian Brobbey.
Time at Ajax ended again in 2017 and current English Championship side West Brom were once more his club of choice to develop more experience outside Holland. He moved to Belgium to join the coaching staff of lower league side KSV Roeselare before taking up a similar role with Vitesse Arnhem back home. Senior experience was starting to develop and there he worked under experienced German manager Thomas Letsch and Barcelona hero Phillip Cocu.
After managing RSC Anderlecht Futures, the reserve team for the Belgian heavyweights, Reedijk moved into first-team management with SK Beveren in the summer of 2024, still in his early 30s. He was hired after being renowned as a man with expertise in youth development, while Reedijk also brought an analytical approach and tactics that aligned with the club's vision for growth.
General Manager Bob Peeters said: “Reedijk was the first coach I spoke to after my appointment as General Manager. I am therefore very pleased that we have succeeded in securing our first choice. He fits the profile perfectly. We are appointing a young and dynamic coach who knows the league.
What is Marink Reedijk’s style?
“During the conversations, he impressed with his vision and analytical ability. Marink is a modern coach: well-founded, innovative, open in communication, but also demanding: hard work is the basis for converting talent into quality. SK Beveren is appointing someone with incredible drive and a healthy dose of guts, who expects the same from his players. I am incredibly looking forward to working with Marink.”
Reedijk implemented a total overhaul of Beveren’s playing style, putting an emphasis on discipline, structured training, and entertaining matches. He immediately focused on a possession-oriented style that built from the back, quick transitions, and high pressing to ensure control remained with his team. A human-centred environment was also cultivated with the aim of strengthening player-coach relationships.
Recruitment focused on youth rather than high-profile targets for his 4-2-3-1 system and early form at Beveren had Reedijk kick off with five wins, a draw and three losses. They finished fourth in his first season and then won the league plus promotion a year later, boasting an astonishing 28 wins with four draws, suffering zero defeats in the 32-game campaign. He then departed in the summer rather than go to Belgium’s top flight and his dreams extend to Europe’s elite.
“Well, if I can really think big,” pondered Reedijk during time at Anderlecht. “I dream of coaching in the Champions League someday. The Premier League and Serie A also feature in my dreams, but rest assured, that is still a distant prospect at the moment.”
Hibs might not be there yet but candidates with such vast experience and ambitions while still in the infancy of their managerial career don’t come around often. Champions League matches may be his dream and Hibs could provide him the platform for him to build towards that - but any new boss will know Premiership success in Leith is paramount first and foremost.