Jack Ross has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract to be Hibs’ new Head Coach
The 43-year-old began his career at Dundee and Forfar Athletic, before enjoying a successful stint with Camelon Juniors.
Clyde spotted his potential and he was made captain before he opted for a switch to Hartlepool United.
Falkirk tempted him back north, where he played under former Hibs’ manager John Hughes, before subsequent spells with St Mirren, Hamilton Academical and Dunfermline Athletic.
He also appeared for the Scotland B team in a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland under George Burley back in April 2009.
After a knee injury forced him into retirement, he joined Dumbarton as assistant manager to Alan Adamson then former Hibs captain Ian Murray where they enjoyed a successful spell.
Ross spent a year on the coaching staff at Heart of Midlothian before becoming manager of Alloa Athletic where he led The Wasps to a club-record 10-game winning streak.
St Mirren came calling in October 2016 when they were adrift at the bottom of The Championship and looking relegation certainties.
He inspired a dramatic turnaround in The Buddies’ fortunes – not only escaping the drop but then leading them to the Championship title the following season.
His achievement was recognised with the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award, while he also earned plaudits for his work with some of the club’s bright young players including Stevie Mallan. (pictured)
Sunderland secured his signature in May 2018 on the back of successive relegations.
They made it as far as the League One Play-Off Final in his debut campaign – only to lose out to a 94th-minute winner.
Ross had also been linked with Hearts but decided to move to Easter Road,
He will start his tenure on Monday at the club’s Training Centre and will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership visit of Motherwell.
He told Hibernian Media: “I’m proud to have been named Head Coach of Hibernian Football Club.
“I think we all consider Hibernian to be one of the leading clubs in Scottish football – in terms of the history and passion of the supporters. It’s up to all of us to help the squad live up to that.
“We have some talented players, underpinned by a successful Academy, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we’re able to help every player fulfil his potential.”
Ron Gordon, Executive Chairman, said: “We are really excited to have secured the services of Jack.
“Leeann and Graeme led a thorough recruitment process that unearthed some outstanding candidates but, in the end, the verdict was unanimous.
“We look forward to seeing what Jack brings to the Hibernian Training Centre and Easter Road Stadium as part of the team who will strive towards achieving our sporting goals.”
Leeann Dempster, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce Jack as our new Head Coach.Jack made a very strong impression on us during the interview process but he is someone we have obviously been aware of for some time.
“We are confident that Jack, along with the staff at Easter Road Stadium and the Hibernian Training Centre, will help drive this club forward and we will do everything that we can, as a board, to support that.”
Graeme Mathie, Sporting Director, said: “It became very clear early on in our discussions with Jack that he would be a great fit for Hibernian.
“His ideas for the game and the development of the club tie in with our own.
“We want to give supporters a team that they are proud of, that will entertain them and, ultimately, help bring about the kind of days that live long in the memory.
“I look forward to working closely with Jack to help achieve that.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
