Shaun Maloney: Hibernian sack manager after four months in charge

Hibernian have sacked manager Shaun Maloney after just four months in charge of the Scottish Premiership club.

The 39-year-old's departure comes after they failed to secure a top-six finish in the league and exited the Scottish Cup to Edinburgh rivals Hearts.

Maloney's backroom staff of Gary Caldwell, Valerio Zuddas and Brian Doogan have also left, with former skipper David Gray taking caretaker charge for the remainder of the season, with support from Eddie May and Jon Busch.

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In a statement, executive chairman Ronald J Gordon said: "Our hope in appointing Shaun Maloney as a young, highly regarded coach was that he would help us take the club forward, but ultimately that has not been the case.

"We thank Shaun and his coaching staff for all their hard work and efforts and wish them all the best for the future."

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The former Celtic and Scotland midfielder left his post as Belgium assistant manager to succeed Jack Ross in December and won his first two matches in charge against Aberdeen and Dundee United.

However, Hibs have only won one Scottish Premiership game in 2022 and a 3-1 league defeat against Hearts the week before the semi-final consigned them to a bottom-six finish.

'Maloney experiment didn't work'

Maloney has been without a full team of players at times through illness, injury and suspension and the club sold Australia winger Martin Boyle late in the transfer window.

However, he claimed on Saturday he knew "exactly" what was needed for his side to be able to compete with Hearts next season, after their 2-1 defeat in the Scottish Cup.

Former Hibernian winger Kevin Harper admits he was shocked by Maloney's sacking but understands why the club's chairman made the decision.

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He told Sky Sports News: "Four months in a job is a really short period of time, he probably deserved a little bit more time but I understand where he (Ron Gordon) is coming from.

"We have been beaten by our local rivals, we haven't made the top six, he's only won one game since the turn of the year.

"It takes time to change and put your methods across, but you also have to remember football is about winning games and if you don't then the pressure from the fans and upstairs increases.

"In the statement Ron Gordon's put out he's said it was an experiment and I think by that he is taking responsibility for an experiment that didn't work

"For me they will look at an experienced manager but I don't think they will have a candidate in mind.

"I think that's why David Gray is in until the end of the season, they will take stock and reassess and try and make sure the next appointment is the right one for the club moving forward.

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