Hibs have appointed Marink Reedijk as their new head coach, a move described as bold by Tam McManus. The 35-year-old Dutchman, who holds a PhD and wrote a coaching thesis inspired by ancient Greek philosophers, arrives with a reputation for attacking football.
McManus, writing for the Record, said Hibs fans wanted something different and that's what they are getting. Reedijk was on shortlists for the top jobs at Motherwell and Hearts over the summer.
Unbeaten season at Beveren
Reedijk led Beveren in Belgium through an entire season unbeaten on the way to promotion, with an attacking, entertaining style of play. That is what Hibs supporters have been demanding.
Fans acknowledge that David Gray did a really good job at Easter Road, finishing third and then fifth, and being a whisker away from pipping Motherwell to fourth. But the recent home record and the style of football ultimately cost him his job.
Fans want more entertainment
McManus cites what he calls the Jens Berthel Askew Effect, where supporters saw the brand of football played at Fir Park last season and want some of it themselves. Other clubs have gone in this direction as well, with Craig McLeish at St Mirren and John McGlynn at Falkirk.
Hibs fans will be looking across the city at what Wouter Vrancken is doing at Hearts and hoping for something similar. They wanted a sexy foreign name and the promise of sexy football, and they have got their wish with Reedijk.
Patience needed
Reedijk has promised 'brave, intense and committed' football. But McManus warns that patience is not a renowned quality around Leith, pointing to the short tenures of Shaun Maloney, Nick Montgomery and Lee Johnston.
Reedijk is three months away from a transfer window when he can start bringing in players to fit his vision. In the meantime it might be a bumpy transition period.
There are good players at Hibs who have not been showing it enough of late, and questions remain about general recruitment. McManus draws parallels with Ange Postecoglou at Celtic and Askew at Motherwell, both of whom started slowly before players bought into their ideas.
Three-year deal and Spain trip
Reedijk has been given a three-year deal, a sign of faith from the board. Hibs are heading to Spain at the weekend for a training camp during the international break, giving the new boss a chance to put an early stamp on things before facing Dundee United on October 10.
McManus says it will be an exciting new odyssey watching the Reedijk philosophy in action – hopefully it won't end in a Greek tragedy.
