Hibernian Football Club: Exciting Talks and Top Contenders Emerge in Search for New Manager

Sheffield United's ex-midfielder, Nick Montgomery, is set to engage in discussions with Hibernian regarding the possibility of becoming their new manager. Hibernian is currently in talks with multiple candidates, and it is anticipated that an appointment will be made prior to their upcoming fixture against Kilmarnock next Saturday.

Montgomery, the current manager of Australian club Central Coast Mariners, emerged victorious in the A-League this year and is reportedly eager to take on the position. Nevertheless, there have been rumors connecting other managers, including Derek McInnes and Stephen Robinson, to the available spot left vacant by Lee Johnson's dismissal, and Hibernian has not made an offer for the position yet.

Former boss Neil Lennon expressed his desire to discuss the job, while other individuals like Australian manager Graham Arnold have also indicated their interest in the position.

Johnson was dismissed on August 27, with Hibernian occupying the bottom spot in the Scottish Premiership. However, they managed to secure their first points of the season with a 2-0 victory against Aberdeen under the temporary guidance of caretaker boss David Gray.

Hibernian's next five fixtures

Johnson: Small margins cost Hibs this season

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Johnson was sacked by Hibs after 15 months in charge at Easter Road

Johnson expressed his gratitude towards the Gordon family, who afforded him the chance to oversee this esteemed club. Particularly, he recognized the late Ron Gordon, whose passing was deeply felt by everyone involved.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Edinburgh and the Scottish Premiership. It is a competitive league that offers both intensity and challenges, but as a manager, it is incredibly fulfilling to be a part of. I have received a warm welcome from the entire city.

I would like to express my gratitude to the dedicated staff at Hibs, with whom I had the opportunity to work closely. Their passion for the club and unwavering support for the players and backroom staff is truly admirable. I have made lifelong friends during my time here. Additionally, I must commend CEO Ben Kensell for his exceptional leadership skills, and we have had a fantastic working relationship.

The 2021/22 season marked a period of transition for Hibs, but I took great pride in the collective achievements we enjoyed. It was truly exhilarating to finally emerge victorious against Hearts and Celtic at Easter Road, something we had long been striving for. The incredible rendition of 'Sunshine on Leith' by the fans following those momentous victories was absolutely incredible!

Efficiently managing the rotation of players played a vital role in positioning the club as a contender in the top half of the league and securing European football qualification. Consequently, it was absolutely imperative that we surpass our league position from the previous season and finish in fifth place, thereby securing the valuable opportunity to compete on the European stage.

The entire team fully embraced our philosophy and the intensive training was visibly paying off during matches, especially in the outstanding performances and results after the SPFL split and in both fixtures against Luzern. This impressive achievement, possibly the best in Europe in over 20 years, has led to an exciting match-up against Aston Villa.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all the players, coaches, and medical staff for their dedication throughout my tenure at the club. I will continue to follow each of your careers closely. It was a pleasure to provide opportunities for our talented academy players to make their debuts and contribute to the success of our first team on the field.

The results of the first three domestic games did not meet our expectations, which was quite disappointing considering the effort put in by the players, coaching staff, and myself to prepare the team for a challenging start to the season.

However, it is worth noting that certain small factors have had a significant impact on our performance, and the busy schedule has sometimes hampered our energy levels. Nevertheless, I am confident that it won't be long before our team climbs up the league table and becomes contenders for European qualification. I have great faith in this group of players.

I would like to express my gratitude to the supporters who wholeheartedly supported me and the team. Your ability to uplift the team, particularly at Easter Road, should never be underestimated.

I extend my best wishes to everyone at Hibs for their future endeavors and eagerly anticipate witnessing the club's continued progress this season and beyond.