Sporting director Malky Mackay and Bill Foley’s Black Knight football group are leading the process to find Nick Montgomery’s succ
In the upcoming days, Hibs will create a shortlist of potential managers as they go closer to selecting Nick Montgomery’s replacement. David Grey, the Easter Road hero and caretaker boss, will be interviewed for the role.
Record Sport has learned, however, that Stephen Robinson, the manager of St. Mirren and the bookies’ favourite earlier this week, is not a contender. The Hibs leadership is keen to provide stability and longevity to the role, and newly hired sports director Malky Mackay and Bill Foley’s Black Knight football group are spearheading the search for the club’s sixth manager in the previous three years.
Interviews are scheduled after a lengthy list of candidates is whittled down to a short list, according to sources. Both Robinson and Derek McInnes, the Kilmarnock manager, continue to rank highly among bookmakers. However, Hibs are known to desire to avoid having to haggle over compensation packages because both are under contract at their current clubs.
This implies that Grey, who has assumed leadership on an interim basis four times, has a good chance of being appointed. After Montgomery was fired last week, the hero of the 2016 Scottish Cup Final steadied the ship and led the team to a 3-0 victory against Motherwell and a 1-1 draw at Livingston in the final two games.
After Lee Johnson, Shaun Maloney, and Jack Ross were fired in the previous three years, Grey also assumed leadership. Speaking prior to the weekend’s Livi game, the 36-year-old also expressed his readiness to assume the position permanently.
“I’m not shying away from it,” he declared. I think I’m capable of it. I’ve shown that I am capable. In the end, it’s what the club wishes to pursue.
They are free to decide whether or not they think I’m ready to proceed and whether or not they want me to. When the chance arises, I will always support myself.
Veteran striker Adam LeFondre, meanwhile, wrote a parting letter on social media, criticising his treatment at Hibs from “certain people.” The 37-year-old, who Johnson joined from Sydney FC last summer, scored five goals in 29 games.
The former Reading striker expressed gratitude to Nick Montgomery, Brian McDermott, the director of football, the medical staff, and his previous employer, but made fun of other people who were not named.
“Season complete, I’d like to thank Nick Montgomery for continued faith in my abilities and Brian McDermott and Lee Johnson for bringing me to the club,” he posted. I had an amazing time up north.
“What a great group of guys, I appreciate you letting me into the dressing room! A few oddballs think! I’m grateful to the strength and conditioning and medical personnel for taking care of me during my difficult recovery from my injury!
“I’m disappointed in how the season went and in some of the people I encountered, but that’s a topic for another day.
“A special thank you to the supporters for making me feel so welcome. Hibernian is a very wonderful club, and I have no doubt that they will achieve great things in the future. Best wishes, Alfie.
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