Message from the board

[Percy Vere]

𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Like all Hibs supporters, we believe that a Club with our stature should, as an absolute minimum, finish in the top six. Ending the season in the bottom six is simply unacceptable.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s draw with Motherwell, we came together to understand what happened this season and what are the necessary steps to move the Club forward.

With that in mind, we will conduct a full review of the Club’s football structure in conjunction with Black Knight Football Club. The review will be a comprehensive evaluation of the entire football operation to ensure we perform at the highest level.

We have also held detailed discussions with Nick Montgomery to understand what has gone wrong during the current campaign and mutually agreed that results this season have been disappointing. There’s an understanding that results need to improve.

Considerable progress has been made at the Club off the pitch over the last 12 months. That being said, we want to assure supporters that on-pitch progress and performance are at the forefront of our minds. We understand that this needs to be addressed urgently and the experience provided by our new partner, Black Knight Football Club, will help us improve in all areas.

Lastly, we would like to thank every single one of you for your support through this incredibly challenging campaign. Your backing has been unwavering, and the Club is extremely grateful. We will continue to work tirelessly to deliver results our supporters can be proud of.

Thoughts?
Comments?

[Bridge hibs]

When I got to the “mutually agreed” part my ticker skipped a beat as I thought that was Montgomery getting bumped, ah well, back to my knitting

[ScottB]

Reviewing the whole thing, with the help of the BKs to do it, is absolutely the right idea.

Hopefully said review is empowered to do whatever is deemed necessary.

[blackpoolhibs]

Looks like he's staying from that, so we need to get behind the club with this decision and hope with their backing he can improve us and we are not back to square one come September.

[ScottB]

Looks like he's staying from that, so we need to get behind the club with this decision and hope with their backing he can improve us and we are not back to square one come September.

I read it as if results don’t markedly improve, presumably in the remaining 5 games, he will be gone…

[hibsbollah]

Good statement. Now the hard bit.

[Alex Trager]

Well. It is a communication.

[H18 SFR]

Looks like he's staying from that, so we need to get behind the club with this decision and hope with their backing he can improve us and we are not back to square one come September.

I think there is potential for September to be August in all honesty. Monty has is in his locker to be able to fail to get us out the League Cup group - he’s more than capable.

[JohnM1875]

I read it as if results don’t markedly improve, presumably in the remaining 5 games, he will be gone…

It's like in the latest FM games when the board say you need to make so many points in the next month or your sacked. Crazy.

Be interesting to see if the players react and help keep a manager in a job or not.

[Nicho87]

Like the results this season

Massive let down

In short, no good enough but we’re not sacking you…..yet

I feel bad for maloney, Jack Ross, Lee Johnson

One rule for one, one for the other three

[greenlex]

Between the lines Monty has 5 games to save his bacon.

[ScottB]

It's like in the latest FM games when the board say you need to make so many points in the next month or your sacked. Crazy.

Be interesting to see if the players react and help keep a manager in a job or not.

Pretty much yeah, perhaps there’s a performance target for these 5 games that saves him.

Or at least keeps him in place until this review is complete…

[The Tubs]

I read as they could easily be gone once the review puts in new senior football people who decide the coaching staff aren't what they want.

[Mikey_1875]

I think if it was guaranteed we were backing him into next season that the end of the fourth paragraph would have been the perfect time to mention it. The door has been left open and I think that is sensible (although I would have had him out already)

It is good they have acknowledged a dreadful season and conducting a review of all football areas with the BKs is the right thing to do but it isn’t really saying anything that I wouldn’t have expected to happen anyway.

[J-C]

Looks like BK will have a big say in going forward, could be they want their own man in place, if NM had done fairly well he might've been ok but he gas to games to show what he's got.

[Dazzjw1875]

sounds to me like there will be a overhaul after the season is over, I think this could included Head coach position.. for me I can see DOF and full coaching team being replaced. Just my opinion on reading the statement , says there is
a mutual agreement that results are not good enough doesnt say that they are still behind him. also sounds like Foley will have a much bigger say in this than perhaps what was expected. I for one am happy they released something I know we have had similar in the past when it's been poor season.. but for me under Foley I think it will be totally different and they mean what they say!! But words are cheap actions are what we judge on.

[J-C]

Like the results this season

Massive let down

In short, no good enough but we’re not sacking you…..yet

I feel bad for maloney, Jack Ross, Lee Johnson

One rule for one, one for the other three

Different people in charge, Ron was the main guy then.

[Centre Hawf]

I read as they could easily be gone once the review puts in new senior football people who decide the coaching staff aren't what they want.

I read it as he’s going as well. He’s effectively working a notice period at this point. Which gives me less incentive to turn up to any split games. Just pull the ****ing trigger now and crack on.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I think if it was guaranteed we were backing him into next season that the end of the fourth paragraph would have been the perfect time to mention it. The door has been left open and I think that is sensible (although I would have had him out already)

It is good they have acknowledged a dreadful season and conducting a review of all football areas with the BKs is the right thing to do but it isn’t really saying anything that I wouldn’t have expected to happen anyway.

Impossible to say what it’s really saying on the Montgomery front tbh. I think your first sentence is probably right though. Not saying that he’s staying/giving him a ‘vote of confidence’ is hopefully telling as to where this is headed.

Also mentions the review hasn’t even taken place, so I wouldn’t expect any decision to take place until that’s over.

[GreenCastle]

Action speaks louder than words..

I’m at the stage where I’ve heard it all from players - CEO - manager etc and we still fall short so often.

Some will be easily pleased with the statement but it’s taken 3 / 4 days to get this statement out plus I still don’t believe anything will change until we improve our structure / management,

[HH81]

It's like in the latest FM games when the board say you need to make so many points in the next month or your sacked. Crazy.

Be interesting to see if the players react and help keep a manager in a job or not.

The players look like they are trying to get him the sack not save him

[JohnM1875]

Think I’d actually be a wee bit pissed off at that statement if I were Montgomery. Aye, aye we all know he's done a poor job. But they've not backed him and basically let everyone know they think he's ***** as well

[truehibernian]

He’ll be gone at the end of the season.

[Ozyhibby]

Don’t think Monty comes back from that. If he was safe then they would have said nothing. That statement throws him under the bus. And at the same time tells us nothing.


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[Pretty Boy]

Pretty much all you can expect them to say.

Not a lot of substance there but it's something and acknowledges the frustration of the support so fair enough for that.

[offshorehibby]

I said to a couple of mates after Motherwell the board need to sit down with BK group and let them run the footballing side.

[MrRobot]

after that, i reckon he’s gone unless he gets good results in the final 5 games.

[Real Emerald]

I think a full review is needed but if they give the manager the summer window and first half of next season to pull up his socks it will be another write off season. If they decide he isn’t going to miraculously improve then he has to go quickly. I feel this statement is just buying them time, the review could take until Christmas for all we know.

At least it’s a recognition that the football side and manager have failed and results are “unacceptable”. No manager in football should survive that phrase.

[Hibees1973]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

[Skol]

I read it as if results don’t markedly improve, presumably in the remaining 5 games, he will be gone…

That’s my reading of it as well.

[Steve20]

I don’t know what difference the five games make. If we win them all, so what? We’ve been garbage in all competitions this season and don’t win any big games.

And top 6 shouldn’t be minimum. Top 4 should be. So some ambition ffs.

Winning five games against the rest of the guff when the pressure is off is nothing.

[andrew70]

McDermott is most definitely toast.

[The Tubs]

It could also be an admission that we've been a bit hasty recently in sacking head coaches and, as there's no real need to boot him now, they've decided to let the review run on the off chance they may just see some potential in Monty that we can't.

[Heisenberg]

I don’t know what difference the five games make. If we win them all, so what? We’ve been garbage in all competitions this season and don’t win any big games.

Winning five games against the rest of the guff when the pressure is off is nothing.

Yeah that’s my thinking too. Reading it again it doesn’t look good for Monty, binned at the end of the season I think.

[declan macmanus]

The statement is also premature. We could still find ourselves in a dogfight to avoid the playoffs.

They should have kept quiet until we were at least mathematically safe


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[The Tubs]

The statement is also premature. We could still find ourselves in a dogfight to avoid the playoffs.

They should have kept quiet until we were at least mathematically safe


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This may be true too. We've just done to Monty what Butcher did to the players. Or he sees he's still got a chance to keep the job. I've no idea what he'll think.

[raeburnhibs]

I think it basically means improve the results or you are gone AND even if results improve you might be gone anyway depending on ongoing review with the Black Knights who I suspect will conclude he aint the right man

[Unseen work]

I read that as Monty has 5 games to convince the board.

I’m not one for demanding statements but I know a lot do, as far as statements go I’d say it’s good and fair.

[B.H.F.C]

I said to a couple of mates after Motherwell the board need to sit down with BK group and let them run the footballing side.

My reading of that statement is them saying that’ll happen without actually saying it.

I’ve thought all along that the BK would get their person in as a DoF, Sporting Director or whatever they choose to call it. Wouldn't surprise me if someone you’ve never heard of comes in to do that and a manager follows.

[JohnM1875]

I think it basically means improve the results or you are gone AND even if results improve you might be gone anyway depending on ongoing review with the Black Knights who I suspect will conclude he aint the right man

There’s just no real chance that the result of a Black Knight review will come to the conclusion that Montgomery has done a good enough job to keep it.

[truehibernian]

It could also be an admission that we've been a bit hasty recently in sacking head coaches and, as there's no real need to boot him now, they've decided to let the review run on the off chance they may just see some potential in Monty that we can't.

I think it’s more saying it gives us time (and a ready made excuse) to get our new manager in for the start of pre-season. I’m convinced discussions have been had with prospective candidates off table. We won’t win all five games that’s for sure.

[Baldy Foghorn]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

So not unwavering then?

[Exuberance1875]

Pointless statement, painfully obvious the players are a huge huge part of this problem as they have been for the last 4/5 managers.

Manager in my opinion isn’t the right man but consistently changing managers, allowing them to sign horrendous players on long contracts then changing manager is absolutely killing us. Along with ludicrous contract extensions for our already average players too.

Genuine complete clear out from BK right through to Wollacott is required here.

[Rick Rude]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

Isn't learning from the past exactly what they've done? No rushed decision and, after failing to get it right multiple times now, got someone more experienced in to review and guide any decision.

[Unseen work]

I don’t know what difference the five games make. If we win them all, so what? We’ve been garbage in all competitions this season and don’t win any big games.

And top 6 shouldn’t be minimum. Top 4 should be. So some ambition ffs.

Winning five games against the rest of the guff when the pressure is off is nothing.

The rest of the guff - it’s half the league.

If we could beat these teams consistently we wouldn’t be where we are. If we won the final 5 games that would be a massive improvement.

Won’t happen however

[Baldy Foghorn]

I'm glad they realise it's not acceptable

[Largshibby]

Good statement. Now the hard bit.

Exactly. The cynic in me says they’re trying to keep season ticket sales ticking over with the prospect of better times to come. Heard it all many times before.

[lyonhibs]

Would've been fine without it, but it's pretty inoffensive as these things go. Montgomery must go though, that much remains clear as far as I'm concerned.

[HendoDelivered]

Not sure what to think or feel about that to be fair. Defo sounds like NM has til the end of the season to save his job or he will be gone. He shouldn’t be the only one feeling the pressure though, those above him should be feeling the heat too.

See what happens in the summer, be wholesale changes I think.

[babahibs]

4th paragraph, 2nd sentence "There's an understanding that results need to improve."

I think he's been told to win some games or he's out.

[Dmas]

I don’t know what difference the five games make. If we win them all, so what? We’ve been garbage in all competitions this season and don’t win any big games.

And top 6 shouldn’t be minimum. Top 4 should be. So some ambition ffs.

Winning five games against the rest of the guff when the pressure is off is nothing.

Top 4 should be minimum for a team that’s finished in the top 4 a handful of times in the last 40 years?

[jeffers]

They’d have been just as well saying heehaw. The idea that results in the next 5 games should have any impact either way is nuts imo. Meaningless fixtures that tell us nothing.

[Lago]

Well. It is a communication.
What more did you expect?

[GreenCastle]

Monty would have been aware of the statement going out.

They aren’t just going to release a statement surely without him knowing it was going out to public.

I guess the only good thing of finishing bottom 6 is a review may happen. If we had managed top 6 they may have just buried their head in the sand and thought everything was ok.

[Glory Lurker]

Cool story, bro.

Reads as an acknowledgement that the club owes us big time. It's the paying it back that's the important bit and untill that's happening I amn't bothered for their chat.

[Chorley Hibee]

I think it's a little unfair to single out Montgomery in that statement, and I say that as someone who doesn't want him to retain his position.

A good few others need to take at least some sort of responsibility for this latest mess.

[Ronniekirk]

Just happy the Black Nights are involved in root and branch review of why the Club has failed this season in terms of results on the pitch
Assume they will have a time frame in mind so that actions can be taken as soon as season ends and by sounds of it if results don’t improve in las five games manager could go sooner

[JohnM1875]

I think it's a little unfair to single out Montgomery in that statement, and I say that as someone who doesn't want him to retain his position.

A good few others need to take at least some sort of responsibility for this latest mess.

:agree: same.

[TrinityHFC]

They’d have been just as well saying heehaw. The idea that results in the next 5 games should have any impact either way is nuts imo. Meaningless fixtures that tell us nothing.

They haven’t said anything about the next five games.

They’ve said they are reviewing the whole football operation. I think that’s quite meaningful. We could win the next five and still conclude that that all sorts of positions need changed, including the manager.

[Stuart93]

Yet another review of football operations, did we not do that before we appointed BMcD

We just want a good ****ing football team on the pitch hibs. Stop with all the bull**** corporate nonsense.

[Crab apple]

It good that they acknowledge that being in the bottom 6 is simply unacceptable. With that in mind I would have liked NM sacked now even before the review of the entire football operation, which is a good idea.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

He’ll be gone at the end of the season.

Agreed, there is no way he'll turn this around anytime soon, cheerio 👋

[Trinity Hibee]

Only positive I see is they have specifically stated BK will be heavily involved in the review which is good.

[Basildon Hibs]

Looks like he's staying from that, so we need to get behind the club with this decision and hope with their backing he can improve us and we are not back to square one come September.

No we don't. It looks like the 'vote of confidence' from the board.
Hopefully, NM will bw away PDQ.

[Callum_62]

Yet another review of football operations, did we not do that before we appointed BMcD

We just want a good ****ing football team on the pitch hibs. Stop with all the bull**** corporate nonsense.You don't think the football operations side influences what happens on the park?

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[grunt]

I think that the use of the phrase "simply unacceptable" is quite powerful. That doesn't sound positive for Montgomery.

[jeffers]

I think it's a little unfair to single out Montgomery in that statement, and I say that as someone who doesn't want him to retain his position.

A good few others need to take at least some sort of responsibility for this latest mess.

Their thoughts would be the squad was good enough to make top 6, he was well backed in January and we still couldn’t manage it. That’s on him imo.

[flash]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

We must have different definitions of unwavering.

[Stuart93]

You don't think the football operations side influences what happens on the park?

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Well the review we done last year certainly never?

A full review was done, we appointed Brian and we’re even worse off

[hibeez1875]

Having failed to achieve the “absolute minimum” and having overseen a “simply unacceptable” league finish, surely the manager has to go.
I cannot see how any other conclusion can be drawn. Don’t understand why he’s not gone already.

[Callum_62]

Well the review we done last year certainly never?That's about as sensible as saying we had. Manager in terry butcher when we were relegated so why bother with another one

In all seriousness though, we've just had massive investment from a large footballing organisation

As stated they will be heavily involved in this - it's not just about who the manager is it's about structure and the qualities needed in each role to be successful

The folk that were on the negative end of the spectrum on hibs should be rejoicing

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[Ozyhibby]

I think that the use of the phrase "simply unacceptable" is quite powerful. That doesn't sound positive for Montgomery.

Agree. You can’t go using the word ‘unacceptable’ and then accept it by keeping him.


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[Nicho87]

The fact it’s came to the board feeling this is necessary should be a massive sign things are not good at all

Massive booing
Poor fan engagement / relationship with players manager again!
Poor results

Writing is on the wall

I don’t understand why a few thinking these five games saves his job

If he wins each one 3-0 it’s still not good enough were they’re in the first place

For me he’s a dead man walking and Hibs are just dragging this out unfairly on both him and us.

[Chorley Hibee]

I just don't see the point in persisting with this any longer, just let Gray and McGregor run the team for the final few weeks.

This limbo can't be beneficial for anyone, Montgomery included.

[Eyrie]

Their thoughts would be the squad was good enough to make top 6, he was well backed in January and we still couldn’t manage it. That’s on him imo.

The realistic expectation after adding Marcondes and Maolida should have been Europe.

Agree that bottom six is Montgomery's responsibility and he has to be held to account after the Livingston game is over.

[GreenCastle]

Took 4 months to appoint the DOF last time.

Who from BK is doing the review ? Sounds like it could be a review of things between now and end of the season and then changes at end of the season.

Anyway - won’t be content till we improve results and performances and stop losing regularly to teams with less resources.

[Carheenlea]

I’m sort of reading it as that the season has been effectively written off and the marked improvement in results starts immediately in season ‘24/‘25. The chances of being dragged in to a relegation battle do appear to be highly unlikely given the maths.

From now until then it’s about addressing where we went wrong and what needs to be done to put the club in a stronger place on the park.

If the manager was to be dispensed with I’d have expected that to have been announced within that address to the support. A couple of wins against say Livingston and Ross County shouldn’t be key to any managerial decision being taken at this stage.

Might be reading it different to others but that’s my take on it anyway.

[Jones28]

That’s a final warning imo, significant upturn in results or he’ll be away at the end of the season.

[grunt]

I think it's a little unfair to single out Montgomery in that statement, and I say that as someone who doesn't want him to retain his position. A good few others need to take at least some sort of responsibility for this latest mess.
He's the manager. Accountable for the performance of the team. Goes with the job.

[GreenCastle]

Having failed to achieve the “absolute minimum” and having overseen a “simply unacceptable” league finish, surely the manager has to go.
I cannot see how any other conclusion can be drawn. Don’t understand why he’s not gone already.

Maybe contract / compensation / clauses ?

[Chorley Hibee]

If the board let this run beyond the summer, and we end up sacking him early next season, then, quite frankly, we're a laughing stock.

If the board back him now, then they must realise they're leaving themselves in a ridiculously difficult situation should the season start in a similar manner to this.

This is what makes me think his position is untenable, but I don't understand why it's not been done and dusted already.

[Unseen work]

The writings on the wall isn’t it, there’s just no coming back from it for Montgomery.

Will the Black Knights already have a DoF in place at another club or one in mind that they think the can appoint quickly to fix our issues?

[Hibees1973]

Montgomery is toast.

Might be some contractual thing in his deal that he has to linger around the corridors until the end of the season so Hibs can punt him on the cheap.

[truehibernian]

If the board let this run beyond the summer, and we end up sacking him early next season, then, quite frankly, we're a laughing stock.

If the board back him now, then they must realise they're leaving themselves in a ridiculously difficult situation should the season start in a similar manner to this.

This is what makes me think his position is untenable, but I don't understand why it's not been done and dusted already.

End of season there’ll be a “we had constructive discussions with Nick and we have agreed to part ways and wish him well in the future”

Next day or two “Hibernian FC are pleased to announce………..as new Head Coach and we look forward to an exciting start to the season”

[HendoDelivered]

Feel like a few uncomfortable questions are coming his way in the next press conference. Actually feel a wee bit sorry for him, I won’t lie.

[jeffers]

If the board let this run beyond the summer, and we end up sacking him early next season, then, quite frankly, we're a laughing stock.

If the board back him now, then they must realise they're leaving themselves in a ridiculously difficult situation should the season start in a similar manner to this.

This is what makes me think his position is untenable, but I don't understand why it's not been done and dusted already.

Agreed. It’s too up in the air. If they still believe in him then they should have said something along the lines of acknowledging the league position wasn’t good enough but he had their full backing to turn things round. Or it wasn’t good enough and he was away. Results in the bottom 6 don’t really tell us much at all.

[JohnM1875]

Feel like a few uncomfortable questions are coming his way in the next press conference. Actually feel a wee bit sorry for him, I won’t lie.

Aye same, been thinking that since I read the statement to be honest.

He's done a poor job, absolutely no denying that. But they've kinda done him with that statement in my opinion.

[USA_Hibee]

Personally think this should have been done at the end of the season after our next 5 games.

[Billy Whizz]

Montgomery is toast.

Might be some contractual thing in his deal that he has to linger around the corridors until the end of the season so Hibs can punt him on the cheap.

He only sense checked the vente signing. Vente was another Ian Gordon signing, as head of recruitment I’m sure he’s part of the “Football Dept”. Wonder how this will work out his performance in the BK review

[blackpoolhibs]

I’m sort of reading it as that the season has been effectively written off and the marked improvement in results starts immediately in season ‘24/‘25. The chances of being dragged in to a relegation battle do appear to be highly unlikely given the maths.

From now until then it’s about addressing where we went wrong and what needs to be done to put the club in a stronger place on the park.

If the manager was to be dispensed with I’d have expected that to have been announced within that address to the support. A couple of wins against say Livingston and Ross County shouldn’t be key to any managerial decision being taken at this stage.

Might be reading it different to others but that’s my take on it anyway.

That's what i thought too, hopefully i'm wrong.

[Donegal Hibby]

Thought it was a good statement and see it as a positive step that the club are going to review the structure of the club . Read this in the EEN .

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-board-billionaire-investor-managers-position-review-4594367

[Glory Lurker]

Feel like a few uncomfortable questions are coming his way in the next press conference. Actually feel a wee bit sorry for him, I won’t lie.

I feel very sorry for him. The statement is a disgrace in singling him out. Hibs is dysfunctional, with failings all over the shop but they go with saying there'll be a review, but let's put particular light on this guy.

[superfurryhibby]

Personally think this should have been done at the end of the season after our next 5 games.

Tend to agree, it seems an odd message to send out. Back him or sack him, otherwise shut it until it's played out.

[JohnM1875]

Thought it was a good statement and see it as a positive step that the club are going to review the structure of the club . Read this in the EEN .

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-board-billionaire-investor-managers-position-review-4594367

Key points and potential changes being considered by the review:


- Work will be led by representatives of Foley, whose multi-sport empire includes a controlling interest in Bournemouth, a minority stake in FC Lorient and the licence for a new A-League franchise in New Zealand, as well as leading the Las Vegas Golden Knights ice hockey team to Stanley Cup glory in just their sixth season – exactly as the owner predicted.

- Recommendation that the department undergo some restructuring, with director of football Brian McDermott possibly moving into a more recruitment-focused role suited to his scouting background, with another DOF recruited.

- Implementation of a full knowledge-sharing protocol between Hibs and the clubs in Foley’s stable, with Bournemouth providing specific help on recruitment. Hibs will carry a final veto on any signings.

- Expected to report back to board with recommendations in late May/early June.

- Montgomery will be expected to show that he can turn results around in closing stretch of fixtures, with finishing seventh considered a realistic expectation for a club with hopes of reaching European group stage football on a regular basis over the coming seasons.

[babahibs]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

Unwavering though.

[eastmainsmsh]

Really wanted things to work under Monty but players underperforming for a few seasons a massive clear out required be interesting to see what happens now I think Foley will want his own men in

[Unseen work]

Would be happy with McDerrmot going to a more scouting type of job with us getting a new DoF in.

Would mean a lot of our current targets are still known for next season too

[GreenCastle]

Thought it was a good statement and see it as a positive step that the club are going to review the structure of the club . Read this in the EEN .

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-board-billionaire-investor-managers-position-review-4594367

“Montgomery will be expected to show that he can turn results around in closing stretch of fixtures, with finishing seventh considered a realistic expectation..”

Finishing 7th or he gets sacked ??

[Nicho87]

Jubilation if we get seventh ….

[Real Emerald]

“Montgomery will be expected to show that he can turn results around in closing stretch of fixtures, with finishing seventh considered a realistic expectation..”

Finishing 7th or he gets sacked ??

Yep, that should get season tickets flying out the door! 🙄

[Is It On....]

Like the results this season

Massive let down

In short, no good enough but we’re not sacking you…..yet

I feel bad for maloney, Jack Ross, Lee Johnson

One rule for one, one for the other three

"Aftermath" is a very strong, damning word.

[Hibbyradge]

I'm glad that they're doing a proper, in depth review rather than just resort to the knee-jerk "solution" by simply sacking NM immediately.

I'm not convinced that the next 5 games will have much bearing on his future although losing them all isn't going to do him any favours.

Interesting times.

[TrinityHFC]

I feel very sorry for him. The statement is a disgrace in singling him out. Hibs is dysfunctional, with failings all over the shop but they go with saying there'll be a review, but let's put particular light on this guy.

Rubbish. He’s a football manager and his team have just failed to meet the minimum expectations. Of course it is right to say that they’ve discussed the performance with him.

[hibeerealist]

Thank god we have BF & The BK involved or this would be another nightmare going forward.

They will take over the football side of things, IG and Ben will be nowhere near the next appointment(s) and will be very happy to stand aside and let football professionals get on with it.

Ben and Ian have done well on the business side of things and they have got to be congratulated for bringing The BK to the table and now as shareholders.

For the first time in the last 3/4 years I am looking forward to next season.

Don't like to see people losing their jobs but that same fate awaits us all if we don't perform/ fail!

NM has been paid handsomely for his time at HFC however he will not be around much longer.

[Hibees1973]

Unwavering though.

Yes.

I've been at ER often enough this season to conclude that the dross served up by Montgomery is not anywhere good enough. I'm one of the biggest critics of Ian Gordon and Kensell on here, but even I'll admit Montgomery was backed enough in the January window to get into the top 5, never mind the top 6.

You don't need to go every week to be classed as a Hibs supporter. Bet there are loads on here who hardly attend.

I just cannot stomach any more tripe served up by Montgomery. Slow painful build up, lack of urgency and the sight of Bushiri, Triantis and Jair in a Hibs jersey is just something I've had enough of this season.

I've done my time. Hope when I roll up next season Montgomery is gone, Ian Gordon is nowhere near recruitment and Kensell is confined to his marketing duties.

[Jones28]

I feel very sorry for him. The statement is a disgrace in singling him out. Hibs is dysfunctional, with failings all over the shop but they go with saying there'll be a review, but let's put particular light on this guy.

What are the other, wide ranging failings at the club?

[Hibernia&Alba]

I’m actually surprised it’s happened at this moment. I thought they would wait until the end of the season before saying anything. The remarks about the manager are ambivalent and aren’t the endorsement he would have been hoping for. It reads like ‘shoogly peg’ to me.

[Dashing Bob S]

At least they care

[blackpoolhibs]

Between the lines Monty has 5 games to save his bacon.

If that is true, it's not looking good for Hanlon and Stevenson to see any time on the park to say farewell.

[Donegal Hibby]

“Montgomery will be expected to show that he can turn results around in closing stretch of fixtures, with finishing seventh considered a realistic expectation..”

Finishing 7th or he gets sacked ??

My take on it is , barring a complete disaster in our final 5 games he will be our manager next season.

I also think that if there was a change of the manager at our club we won't see any of the names mentioned on here as a replacement . If the BKs are involved we would probably go down the route of a foreign manager like Bournemouth have done .

Hopefully it won't come to that and we sort out the structure of the club which will see us improve under the current manager though .

[Mrimbetween]

Back Monty or sack him right now, as every game he will be under scrutiny and this will drag on week after week till the end of the season. IMO that is

[Glory Lurker]

What are the other, wide ranging failings at the club?

Symptomatic of where football is nowadays that I should have said the footballing department of Hibs for what I said to be understood. I swithered about adding that but thought nobody would struggle to follow what I was saying.

[eastmainsmsh]

I wonder if Monty will resign

[Glory Lurker]

Rubbish. He’s a football manager and his team have just failed to meet the minimum expectations. Of course it is right to say that they’ve discussed the performance with him.

Anyone in the board putting their hand up to admit their failings in the statement? No, so no need to identify any one individual.

[04Sauzee]

How the Daily Record are reporting it 😐

BREAKING! Disgusted Hibs chiefs tell Nick Montgomery he’s failing as club conduct major investigation

dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football…

[blackpoolhibs]

How the Daily Record are reporting it 😐

BREAKING! Disgusted Hibs chiefs tell Nick Montgomery he’s failing as club conduct major investigation

dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football…

They are not wrong for once.

[Donegal Hibby]

I wonder if Monty will resign

Can I ask why you think he would ? .

[Northernhibee]

Aye same, been thinking that since I read the statement to be honest.

He's done a poor job, absolutely no denying that. But they've kinda done him with that statement in my opinion.

There are plenty of people above him who need to be brutally honest with themselves, and say that their performance has been simply unacceptable too.


It reads to me like throwing another manager under the bus.

[Hibs90]

Need a review of the CEO first and foremost. Throwing Monty under the bus. Pathetic.

[Trinity Hibee]

There are plenty of people above him who need to be brutally honest with themselves, and say that their performance has been simply unacceptable too.


It reads to me like throwing another manager under the bus.

Agree with that. A lot of people in the football dept, board level need to take a good hard look at themselves

[ChuckNor]

A really poor statement. Nothing at all in it. Who is conducting the review? On what basis do Black Knights have the experience to conduct this?

The part about off the pitch success suggests to me Kensell is going no where, which would be a catastrophic mistake.

[eastmainsmsh]

Can I ask why you think he would ? .

The statement has NM out to dry maybe he will end his tenure on his own terms simply hasn’t worked out can go back to Oz with his CV intact and not blighted by Gordon Kensell and co

[JimBHibees]

So not unwavering then?

Indeed

[He's here!]

Between the lines Monty has 5 games to save his bacon.

Hard to make any kind of informed judgement based in meaningless bottom six games (unless he somehow manages to relegate us). From a performance point of view I'd have thought you either make the call based on pre-split games or keep him on next season.

[Northernhibee]

A really poor statement. Nothing at all in it. Who is conducting the review? On what basis do Black Knights have the experience to conduct this?

The part about off the pitch success suggests to me Kensell is going no where, which would be a catastrophic mistake.

It’s a cowardly statement. From top to bottom mistakes have been made in the last few years, but it’s the usual bumph about off field improvements, but point your finger at the manager.

[jeffers]

A really poor statement. Nothing at all in it. Who is conducting the review? On what basis do Black Knights have the experience to conduct this?

The part about off the pitch success suggests to me Kensell is going no where, which would be a catastrophic mistake.

I think it’s good we have different people looking at the club structure, but it’s not a given they will automatically get it right.

[Hibernia&Alba]

It’s a cowardly statement.

I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m unimpressed with it. Better to have kept quiet just now, in my humble opinion.

[cabbageandribs1875]

ok have a review


starting with the head of the football department


who's that anyway :dunno:

[Northernhibee]

I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m unimpressed with it. Better to have kept quiet just now, in my humble opinion.

I just want an admittance that from top to bottom major mistakes have been made. Once we address reality, progress can be made. Without that honesty I have no faith in the review.

[Hibbyradge]

Need a review of the CEO first and foremost. Throwing Monty under the bus. Pathetic.

Most people on here want NM sacked.

[Northernhibee]

Most people on here want NM sacked.

.net isn’t running the club, it’s the jobs of the board to conduct things in a professional manner.

[TrinityHFC]

I just want an admittance that from top to bottom major mistakes have been made. Once we address reality, progress can be made. Without that honesty I have no faith in the review.

They’ve said they are reviewing the entire football operations. The off the park side of the club seems to be doing well so I don’t think they can say any more than every aspect of the football dept is to be reviewed.

[we are hibs]

Thoughts? What a mess.


Let's hope and pray Foley and co are the answer because this lot are incredibly out their depth in regards to running a successful FOOTBALL club.

[Exuberance1875]

What are the other, wide ranging failings at the club?

The playing staff. About 90% aren’t good enough to be at Hibs if we see ourselves as a top 3/4 side

[Jones28]

Symptomatic of where football is nowadays that I should have said the footballing department of Hibs for what I said to be understood. I swithered about adding that but thought nobody would struggle to follow what I was saying.

No need to be so hostile.

It’s clear the footballing department has failed, other departments have excelled.

[Unseen work]

Whoever is in charge needs to sign Luke McCowan

Been brilliant all season and is dominating the game against Rangers tonight.

Everything fans like to see in a Hibs player.

[Glory Lurker]

No need to be so hostile.

It’s clear the footballing department has failed, other departments have excelled.

No need to have been so pedantic!

Quits? :-)

[Jones28]

No need to have been so pedantic!

Quits? :-)

😂 fair

Agreed 👍

[WeeRussell]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.

[JimBHibees]

Reasonable statement. Don’t see it as throwing anyone under the bus. Just expressing no one is happy with position.

[Unseen work]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.

It’s unbelievable isn’t it 😂

[Jones28]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.

I love this place

[CB Hibs 68]

Confirms Foley is in charge .It is that simple.

[Liberal Hibby]

I'm not convinced that the next 5 games will have much bearing on his future although losing them all isn't going to do him any favours.

Interesting times.

Losing the next five games would mean a strong probability of ending in the relegation play off which surely would have a big bearing on his future.

[Col2]

A fundamental review should be a given.

This is likely to be another late August / Sept Lee Johnson sacking ****show.

And back to square one.

[Nicho87]

Who reviews the review

[Ronniekirk]

A really poor statement. Nothing at all in it. Who is conducting the review? On what basis do Black Knights have the experience to conduct this?

The part about off the pitch success suggests to me Kensell is going no where, which would be a catastrophic mistake.
He has increased commercial revenue and that’s what he should stick to imo

[babahibs]

Yes.

I've been at ER often enough this season to conclude that the dross served up by Montgomery is not anywhere good enough. I'm one of the biggest critics of Ian Gordon and Kensell on here, but even I'll admit Montgomery was backed enough in the January window to get into the top 5, never mind the top 6.

You don't need to go every week to be classed as a Hibs supporter. Bet there are loads on here who hardly attend.

I just cannot stomach any more tripe served up by Montgomery. Slow painful build up, lack of urgency and the sight of Bushiri, Triantis and Jair in a Hibs jersey is just something I've had enough of this season.

I've done my time. Hope when I roll up next season Montgomery is gone, Ian Gordon is nowhere near recruitment and Kensell is confined to his marketing duties.

K

[Hibbyradge]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.

Could be worse.

[MelbourneHibees]

Wouldn't the Black Knight Group have conducted a full review of the "Football Structure" when they looked into investing Millions into the club?
Waffle. Standing by NM is a joke.

[SHODAN]

Statement is okay but the manager needs to go.

[babahibs]

Whoever is in charge needs to sign Luke McCowan

Been brilliant all season and is dominating the game against Rangers tonight.

Everything fans like to see in a Hibs player.

He's a pler

[hfc-1875]

My take on that is he’s got 5 games to prove he’s the right man to take us forward. Hope we have a scrappy 5 games (unfortunately) and we have a new manager for the start of next season

[JoeT]

Wouldn't read too much into it. Written to appease fans for a while.

[hibsbollah]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.
:greengrin

[WestCoastHibby]

The coat is most definitely on a shoogly nail and rightly so
Chances are there’s no way we will be undefeated over the next five games but I reckon they need to take most of the points available
If he was on a probationary he’s just had it extended, any more slip ups and he’ll be “mutualled”

[WhileTheChief..]

Good statement that struck the right tone and addressed a lot of the points raised on here regularly. That in itself is a pleasant change.

Gives NM the chance to get it right over the next few weeks or move on if he can't. Seems reasonable enough.

[Hibees1973]

My take on that is he’s got 5 games to prove he’s the right man to take us forward. Hope we have a scrappy 5 games (unfortunately) and we have a new manager for the start of next season

Most of these games are against teams scrapping to avoid relegation or a play-off.

We have loads of players either out of contract or who are clearly not going to be here next season. Does anyone really think Montgomery is going to transform them into an organised unit and go on an unbeaten run against the worst 5 teams in the league?

Can't see us winning any of our away games. Might win one at home, maximum.

[ancient hibee]

Good statement that struck the right tone and addressed a lot of the points raised on here regularly. That in itself is a pleasant change.

Gives NM the chance to get it right over the next few weeks or move on if he can't. Seems reasonable enough.

:top marks:top marks

[coldingham hibs]

What are the other, wide ranging failings at the club?

I would guess that during the period where we were desperately short of players we had no real quality coming through the development ranks capable of stepping up.

[One Day Soon]

That is an excellent statement. Not for anything it actually says, it’s just a bunch of ‘mibbes aye, mibbes naw’ flannel. What is really good news is what it signifies - the people previously in sole charge of the club aren’t anymore.

No more transfer window and managerial appointment amateur adventurism, no more ‘we’ve not got a clue, but it’s our toy’ gambling.

I for one welcome our new Black Knight overlords.

[One Day Soon]

Hibs.net goes radge because Monty isn’t good enough, and because there has been no statement post-split.

Hibs make a post-split statement saying this season hasn’t been good enough under Monty.

Hibs.net goes radge.

That would be absolutely spot on if it was spot on. Except that it isn’t because hibs.net doesn’t seem to be going radge.

[Pagan Hibernia]

What if he stays and we get off to a bad start next season? We sack him after a handful of defeats and in comes a new manager with no transfer window to try and sort it out. History repeats itself and round and round we go

[dp00]

With so many failures as managers recently …. Can they all be bad or is there fundimentily something wrong within the club ?

Let’s hope this review finds out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ozyhibby]

I’m sort of reading it as that the season has been effectively written off and the marked improvement in results starts immediately in season ‘24/‘25. The chances of being dragged in to a relegation battle do appear to be highly unlikely given the maths.

From now until then it’s about addressing where we went wrong and what needs to be done to put the club in a stronger place on the park.

If the manager was to be dispensed with I’d have expected that to have been announced within that address to the support. A couple of wins against say Livingston and Ross County shouldn’t be key to any managerial decision being taken at this stage.

Might be reading it different to others but that’s my take on it anyway.

I think mathematically we are already safe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[marinello59]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

[One Day Soon]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

They’re not capable of fixing things, they’ve demonstrated that repeatedly. That’s why I think it’s such good news that the new investors are clearly going to be all over everything on the football side from now on. Thank God.

[LunasBoots]

Had these statements or similar before, not really interested, just get on with building a good team on the park. Does read as though there is going to be major changes, sounds like BK have not remained silent.

[Unseen work]

Rangers winning 2 games of their last 8 games, both against us.

I think Ross county beating them and Dundee getting a draw will play on the Hibs bosses minds.

They’ve turned us over numerous times this season and as a whole have hardly laid a glove on the old firm.

I imagine seeing teams with far less income than us manage it will give them food for thought about why we’re not competing

[truehibernian]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

My take is it gives NM and his agent plenty time to search for a new venture, Hibs are looking at his replacement, Foley will insist on an overhaul of the football side, and we start preseason with a new Head Coach and football structure in place 👍

[TrinityHFC]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

Nonsense. The manager is ultimately the one responsible for results, particularly when we’ve invested pretty heavily over the last year.

It is completely normal for the manager to be mentioned when the team has failed to reach its targets. Nothing unprofessional about it at all.

Do you maybe think after games we should stop picking on the manager and start sending other random members of staff out instead to explain their role in our performances?

[Hiber-nation]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

That's Kensell's way though, didn't surprise me at all.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Rangers winning 2 games of their last 8 games, both against us.

I think Ross county beating them and Dundee getting a draw will play on the Hibs bosses minds.

They’ve turned us over numerous times this season and as a whole have hardly laid a glove on the old firm.

I imagine seeing teams with far less income than us manage it will give them food for thought about why we’re not competing

Our league record against Rangers since 2018 is atrocious and gets worse every year

[Ringothedog]

Most of these games are against teams scrapping to avoid relegation or a play-off.

We have loads of players either out of contract or who are clearly not going to be here next season. Does anyone really think Montgomery is going to transform them into an organised unit and go on an unbeaten run against the worst 5 teams in the league?

Can't see us winning any of our away games. Might win one at home, maximum.
Another positive post from yourself. I love your “unwavering” support

[Hibernia&Alba]

With so many failures as managers recently …. Can they all be bad or is there fundimentily something wrong within the club ?

Let’s hope this review finds out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exactly. Where is the accountability of those who keep appointing managers we have to replace every year?

[truehibernian]

Exactly. Where is the accountability of those who keep appointing managers we have to replace every year?

Foley will absolutely be the decision maker for next Head Coach - absolutely no doubt about it and Kensell will be side tracked football wise.

[jeffers]

I’m not interested in statements chucked out to appease the masses, just fix things.
Monty must be furious at the paragraph mentioning him, talk about throwing a company employee under the bus. That is far from professional, I’m surprised it was allowed out like that.

Why should Monty be furious. No one here would disagree that results have been disappointing. If he doesn’t agree with that he’s deluded. I don’t think that’s throwing him under the bus.

[bingo70]

Exactly. Where is the accountability of those who keep appointing managers we have to replace every year?

Depends who you’re talking about.

If it’s Kensell I am sure they’ll look at that and take the decision out his hands next time. They’ll also take into account the commercial success he’s had so just get him back to doing what he does well.

If it’s Ian Gordon, he owns the club so his accountability is in the profit and loss.

If it’s McDermott, it sounds like he’s changing roles within the club if rumours are to be believed.

[CockneyRebel]

Isn't learning from the past exactly what they've done? No rushed decision and, after failing to get it right multiple times now, got someone more experienced in to review and guide any decision.

That's my take as well.

[gbhibby]

A bit late I said they should have done it when Maloney went.

[I'm Spartacus]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

[Hibbyradge]

A bit late I said they should have done it when Maloney went.

We didn't have Foley and the Black Knights then...

[bingo70]

We didn't have Foley and the Black Knights then...

Would have been incredibly harsh to blame Montgomery for failing to make the top 6 too.

[The Harp Awakes]

Rangers winning 2 games of their last 8 games, both against us.

I think Ross county beating them and Dundee getting a draw will play on the Hibs bosses minds.

They’ve turned us over numerous times this season and as a whole have hardly laid a glove on the old firm.

I imagine seeing teams with far less income than us manage it will give them food for thought about why we’re not competing

With the odd exception, we've been lambs to the slaughter v the Rangers and Celtic under the last 3 Managers. Our results v Hearts have also been mostly poor. No doubt that's down to substandard coaching by Managers who have been/are out of their depth.

Meantime the so called smaller teams often make life more difficult for the gruesome twosome.

It's been said so many times before, but very poor recruitment, particularly of the last 3 Managers, has crippled us. Basically a football department who do not know what their doing, appointing Managers who do not know what they are doing. A recipe for disaster.

[Smartie]

I like the statement.

Ignoring for a second the fact that it’s been a pish season for football, there are just little things that people at Hibs are doing that gives me hope.

Statement of acknowledgment of the poor season strikes a reasonable tone. I quite like the way Monty turned up to face the music on Sunday and a couple of people I know who were there were impressed with his tone at the event. I liked the promptness of our response to the recent home game with Rangers, I like the simple fact that we’ve managed to source the input from a group like the black knights and I’m thrilled they’re set to be part of this review.

In general - I’m more of a learn and improve type over a head on a stick type. Maybe Monty goes in and his reflections on our recent failings are 100% plausible, exactly the same as the majority of us have been thinking and he has solutions to the problems?

[jeffers]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

The statement isn’t great but the article linked on page 4 of this thread gives far more detail.

[truehibernian]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

Kensell won’t be around for much longer in my opinion.

[I'm Spartacus]

Kensell won’t be around for much longer in my opinion.

TANfastic news if true.

[Greenio]

Poor statement. Shrouded in smoke.

What's the performances and results over the next 5 games going to tell them that they don't already know already?

It's a maybes we will, maybes we won't vibe.

Football manager....some job eh

[gbhibby]

We didn't have Foley and the Black Knights then...

What difference does that make. An organisation should review and analyse when things are not going as expected. Do internal reviews look for strengths and weaknesses in the organisation. Black Knight should not make a blind bit of difference a good CEO should be proactive it's called good management.

[WeeRussell]

That would be absolutely spot on if it was spot on. Except that it isn’t because hibs.net doesn’t seem to be going radge.

I would say I absolutely agree with you if I agreed with you. But I don’t.

And I would say something not very nice in response if I had any ill-feeling towards you. But I don’t so I’ll respectfully agree to disagree.

[One Day Soon]

I would say I absolutely agree with you if I agreed with you. But I don’t.

And I would say something not very nice in response if I had any ill-feeling towards you. But I don’t so I’ll respectfully agree to disagree.

*Tips hat*

[WeeRussell]

Could be worse.

I’m glad he got a mention cos he’s had a hell of a time!

[Itsnoteasy]

Must be season tix time with a statement like that.

[RIP]

Taking the fans for mugs, season after season.

Last year the Board of Directors announced a fundamental review of the football operation. They then announced the appointment of a Director to LEAD the football operation.

Less than a year later, the selfsame Board announce yet another fundamental review of the football operation. There is absolutely no reference made to the Director they appointed to head up the football operation.

Presumably they think we're just going to forget about the 2023 review and the role of Brian McDermott?

The lack of integrity in this statement is indicative of a dishonest board who take their supporters for mugs.

So many on this thread simply roll over and accept this fake propaganda.

[Forza Fred]

I think a review of the ‘football operation’ was inevitable after our failure to make the top six.

Exactly WHO is heading the review is going to be interesting……it’s not an overall business review, but one of the football operations.

My experience of reviews….and I’ve been involved in many business ‘reviews’’ in my previous life…but not of football operations I might add…..is that it will inevitably lead to personnel changes.

I would expect McDermott and Monty and the coaching team to be recommended for replacement.

It’s difficult to implement reform from within, and usually senior management are directly affected as a result.

As it’s a review of the ‘football operation’ which clearly has been seen to have been a failure, whether I agree with it or not it’s difficult to see the major people in the ‘footballing operation’ who oversaw it surviving.

Not sure if it will extend to the CEO’s position, but we shall see.

As I said, it will be very interesting to see who actually heads the review….presumably someone with wide football experience as opposed to your general management consultant.

[heid the baw]

Poor statement. Shrouded in smoke.

What's the performances and results over the next 5 games going to tell them that they don't already know already?

It's a maybes we will, maybes we won't vibe.

Football manager....some job eh

I think if someone from BK is on the ground looking at training, preparation, team selection, tactics, substitution, general interaction between coaching staff and players etc, then this will reveal a lot especially if they call in someone with the right kind of expertise to undertake this.
Let's face it Ian Gordon ect don't have enough knowledge to analyse how the playing side is organised, they need a fresh impartial set of eyes on this
I don't think the results of meaningless games is what interests BK
Montgomery is obviously been given ultimatums here and if he can show that he has enough savvy to adapt or take on new ideas, then he might keep his job. If he doesn't then he knows he's out

[truehibernian]

I think a review of the ‘football operation’ was inevitable after our failure to make the top six.

Exactly WHO is heading the review is going to be interesting……it’s not an overall business review, but one of the football operations.

My experience of reviews….and I’ve been involved in many business ‘reviews’’ in my previous life…but not of football operations I might add…..is that it will inevitably lead to personnel changes.

I would expect McDermott and Monty and the coaching team to be recommended for replacement.

It’s difficult to implement reform from within, and usually senior management are directly affected as a result.

As it’s a review of the ‘football operation’ which clearly has been seen to have been a failure, whether I agree with it or not it’s difficult to see the major people in the ‘footballing operation’ who oversaw it surviving.

Not sure if it will extend to the CEO’s position, but we shall see.

As I said, it will be very interesting to see who actually heads the review….presumably someone with wide football experience as opposed to your general management consultant.

Foley is leading the review

[Forza Fred]

Foley is leading the review

I would doubt that he would personally be involved tbh, more likely scenario he appoints someone from his organisation to lead it and report to him…in the same way as a government minister orders a review of his department…he doesn’t interview everybody himself.

[Forza Fred]

Throughout the time The Gordons have been here, on numerous occasions the club have said they have made mistakes and will learn from them.

Well, it's not happening yet.

My support is unwavering, it's just not going to be at Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

And they can stuff any chance of me buying a season ticket next season, no matter how many times they text or email me.

We’ll miss you.

[Forza Fred]

The one question I have…

When is this review to be completed by and the recommendations provided to the board?

[Billy McKirdy]

We were two points away from making the top 6, 20 seconds, games where we were wronged with decisions from inept officials, the margins have been fine this season and if any of those matches like the throw in at Ross County hadn’t been given we wouldn’t be talking of the failure we are now experiencing and we would be looking forward to trying to finish fifth or fourth, I do have some sympathy for the team in a season where officialdom has seriously let us as a club down.

[Wilson]

We were two points away from making the top 6, 20 seconds, games where we were wronged with decisions from inept officials, the margins have been fine this season and if any of those matches like the throw in at Ross County hadn’t been given we wouldn’t be talking of the failure we are now experiencing and we would be looking forward to trying to finish fifth or fourth, I do have some sympathy for the team in a season where officialdom has seriously let us as a club down.

Even so. Scraping into the top six is no great achievement. We've fixated on it for a while but it was supposed to be the very bare minimum - and still represents an unsuccessful season.

We're that far off where we want to be and that can't have been the plan.

[Hibs90]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

Absolutely spot on.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

so if after an effectively independent review finds Kensell should stay you’re now coming back?

seventy e has the right to this lie own opinion but I’ve often wondered over the years about thr “illldknt be back until…” I’m guessing it started with Alec Miller. With ST attending upwards since then I’m wondering whether folks really follow through on that.
we almost lost out club. We used to sing “we’ll support you evermore”. We almost didn’t have a team to support so I’ll ever understand the withdrawal. Opinions eh?

[JimBHibees]

I like the statement.

Ignoring for a second the fact that it’s been a pish season for football, there are just little things that people at Hibs are doing that gives me hope.

Statement of acknowledgment of the poor season strikes a reasonable tone. I quite like the way Monty turned up to face the music on Sunday and a couple of people I know who were there were impressed with his tone at the event. I liked the promptness of our response to the recent home game with Rangers, I like the simple fact that we’ve managed to source the input from a group like the black knights and I’m thrilled they’re set to be part of this review.

In general - I’m more of a learn and improve type over a head on a stick type. Maybe Monty goes in and his reflections on our recent failings are 100% plausible, exactly the same as the majority of us have been thinking and he has solutions to the problems?

Agree with that. Also heard people there on Sunday said they were impressed by Monty’s tone.

[goosefat]

𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Like all Hibs supporters, we believe that a Club with our stature should, as an absolute minimum, finish in the top six. Ending the season in the bottom six is simply unacceptable.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s draw with Motherwell, we came together to understand what happened this season and what are the necessary steps to move the Club forward.

With that in mind, we will conduct a full review of the Club’s football structure in conjunction with Black Knight Football Club. The review will be a comprehensive evaluation of the entire football operation to ensure we perform at the highest level.

We have also held detailed discussions with Nick Montgomery to understand what has gone wrong during the current campaign and mutually agreed that results this season have been disappointing. There’s an understanding that results need to improve.

Considerable progress has been made at the Club off the pitch over the last 12 months. That being said, we want to assure supporters that on-pitch progress and performance are at the forefront of our minds. We understand that this needs to be addressed urgently and the experience provided by our new partner, Black Knight Football Club, will help us improve in all areas.

Lastly, we would like to thank every single one of you for your support through this incredibly challenging campaign. Your backing has been unwavering, and the Club is extremely grateful. We will continue to work tirelessly to deliver results our supporters can be proud of.

Thoughts?
Comments?

Stating obvious in many ways. If not finishing top six is unacceptable then finishing with a whimper in the bottom 6 can only mean an exit for NM, BM and other board members. A clean slate for the new campaign 🤞

[Callum_62]

The one question I have…

When is this review to be completed by and the recommendations provided to the board?End of May / beginning of June according to EEN

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Unseen work]

I don’t see the statement as throwing Montgomery under the bus.

There have been a huge amount of posts on here slaughtering him and saying he needs sacked etc. There have also been loads of rumours about him being sacked, not settled and leaving, ALF taking over and more…

The club have just said we’ve had discussions about where this season has went wrong and everyone is in agreement it’s not good enough?

Why just Montgomery mentioned? Well he’s the manager and at the end of the day it all falls on him to get results. Not saying it should be the case but that’s football.

[The Baldmans Comb]

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock and the Yorkshire Pudding II is now on his way out sooner rather than later with McDermott close behind as Foley will want his own people in place going forward to spend all his cash.

Kensall will be safe exactly as he planned when he set in motion the last clever reorganisation that fully protected his position and hung the manager and DoF out to dry.

[JimBHibees]

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock and the Yorkshire Pudding II is now on his way out sooner rather than later with McDermott close behind as Foley will want his own people in place going forward to spend all his cash.

Kensall will be safe exactly as he planned when he set in motion the last clever reorganisation that fully protected his position and hung the manager and DoF out to dry.

Classy

[JimBHibees]

I don’t see the statement as throwing Montgomery under the bus.

There have been a huge amount of posts on here slaughtering him and saying he needs sacked etc. There have also been loads of rumours about him being sacked, not settled and leaving, ALF taking over and more…

The club have just said we’ve had discussions about where this season has went wrong and everyone is in agreement it’s not good enough?

Why just Montgomery mentioned? Well he’s the manager and at the end of the day it all falls on him to get results. Not saying it should be the case but that’s football.

Agree with that disagree it unfairly targets him

[Jones28]

I don’t think the board will have released a statement like that without the manager being involved in the process of it.

Monty will have been told a statement is being released and will have, in my view, been consulted on how it will look. He will have accepted that he needs to be mentioned because he is ultimately responsible for the team on the pitch and the results.

Despite what people say he’s not stupid and knows that the buck stops with him.

[flash]

Big fan of all the folk who were raging that the club hadn't made a statement now being raging that the club has made a statement.

[jakeshibs]

Like the results this season

Massive let down

In short, no good enough but we’re not sacking you…..yet

I feel bad for maloney, Jack Ross, Lee Johnson

One rule for one, one for the other three


what nonsense, we cant keep sacking managers and expect to move forward, a proper analysis to identify the root cause is required and this is what hthey are planning to do.

well done hibs good statement not sort it out.

[bingo70]

Big fan of all the folk who were raging that the club hadn't made a statement now being raging that the club has made a statement.

Is it the same people?

A lot of posters said hey didn’t want communication, they just wanted action.

I wanted an update from the board and I think it’s excellent.

[Since452]

Good statement that struck the right tone and addressed a lot of the points raised on here regularly. That in itself is a pleasant change.

Gives NM the chance to get it right over the next few weeks or move on if he can't. Seems reasonable enough.

If he can't muster a few wins over the bottom six teams then it's pretty damning evidence against him. He's effectively on trial from now until the end of the season.

[Bridge hibs]

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock and the Yorkshire Pudding II is now on his way out sooner rather than later with McDermott close behind as Foley will want his own people in place going forward to spend all his cash.

Kensall will be safe exactly as he planned when he set in motion the last clever reorganisation that fully protected his position and hung the manager and DoF out to dry.****ing hell, are schools not back yet ? 🤣

[flash]

Is it the same people?

A lot of posters said hey didn’t want communication, they just wanted action.

I wanted an update from the board and I think it’s excellent.

No idea Bingo I didn't bother checking.

The statement is all it could be other than announcing a night of the long knives which might yet come.

Just find it incredibly tedious the faux outrage around everything to do with the club right now.

We are all frustrated but if some folk really are as angry as their posts suggest they probably need to find something else to do on a Saturday.

[Hiber-nation]

****ing hell, are schools not back yet ? 🤣

Aye incredible, a grown man (I'm assuming) posting stuff like that. A bit worrying.

[bingo70]

No idea Bingo I didn't bother checking.

The statement is all it could be other than announcing a night of the long knives which might yet come.

Just find it incredibly tedious the faux outrage around everything to do with the club right now.

We are all frustrated but if some folk really are as angry as their posts suggest they probably need to find something else to do on a Saturday.

Totally agree.

The way I see it though, if you went in to the pub and the village idiot was there being loud and talking rubbish, would you engage with them and try to change their mind? I wouldn’t, I’d go and either stand on my own or sit with folk I could have a normal conversation about it with. Same rules apply on here for me. There’s a lot of posts with just so much drivel, there really isn’t even any point in engaging with them.

FWIW I absolutely understand to some people, I will be the village idiot in the above analogy and I’m 100% fine with that.

[ekhibee]

Personally I think Montgomery will be gone at the end of the season. The games left are pretty well meaningless, apart ensuring we don't go into the playoffs, there's very little I would imagine that would impress the board and/or BK enough to keep him on IMO.

[we are hibs]

I suppose it will be interesting seeing who Montgomery picks in the next few games now his job "depends" on it.

Will he stick with those who have failed him so far? Will he pick those he knows won't be here next season? Which players will be in holiday mode?

[Pretty Boy]

What was the reaction when Aberdeen released the statement after they lost to Darvel singling out Goodwin and stating the 'football monitoring group' had made it clear to him things had to improve?

My memory was it was pretty much ridicule across the board from their own fans, their own ex players (most vocally Alex McLeish), fans of other teams and the media. He was sacked a week later.

We have all but made the same statement now. I don't have any real issue with it as such. Singling out the manager isn't great but then the people who wrote it are partially responsible for the problems and they were never likely to single out themselves. It's the lot of a manager that they carry the can when things aren't working whilst players and the executive team have a greater degree of shielding.

We have backed ourselves into a corner now though. Some people have read the statement as a backing of Montgomery and expect him to be here next season, others see it as an ultimatum and think it has all but sealed his fate. Whatever action we take next will be subject to criticism now. Sack him and it will be 'shocking after backing him only a few weeks ago', lose a couple of bottom 6 games and then retain him and it will be 'so what was the point in the review if he just gets away with it?'

As I said before I do feel for the club a wee bit. There was an element of they had to say something at play and no matter how bland the statement they put out it was always going to be pored over and double meanings or hints found. Maybe it was a time when less would have been more. Omit anything that singles out any one individual. 'The board are aware of supporter feeling and we know this season hasn't been good enough. We are working with the Black Knights Group and will be carrying out a full review of all club operations in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support'.

[flash]

I suppose it will be interesting seeing who Montgomery picks in the next few games now his job "depends" on it.

Will he stick with those who have failed him so far? Will he pick those he knows won't be here next season? Which players will be in holiday mode?

He can't trust the forwards to take chances and he can't trust the defence and keeper to stop other teams.

No matter how much we dominate a game we are almost always vulnerable.

If this is a 5 game trial, and that's not certain, then he is probably in big trouble.

[Bertie Wooster]

I get the impression the Black Knight review will have been taking place since before the investment was finalised. My impression of this is that Foley will take over football matters , similar to Ratcliffe at Man United.
Works best for the Gordons who, whilst having Hibs best interests at heart, lacked experience in runing a sizeable sports club. Ben Kensall seems to have good operational manaagement / commercial experience and will probably focus on that but doesnt have the experience in the football side of things.
So its an arrangement which works best as the people in place did their best and whilst they were good at the off field activities werent operating at the same level on the pitch. Foley will bring that to the table.
Foley , like any other large company want their people in place , and in my opinion the football side is what they are interest in will want their appointments influencing the football aspect. So would expect a new Director of Football (so it can be aligned with the Bournemouth led pyramid), a new manager (someone who has evidence of a top 3 club experience) and a playing squad who can cement 3rd place and get into the Euro group stages. The DOF and manager announcements will happen shortly , can see McDermott taking a more focussed role in scouting , loans , etc as that will play a more prominent role at Hibs. The playing squad will happen over the next couple of seasons as its harder to move players on , but Black Knights appear to want regular progress not overnight success , so expect to be a couple of place higher next season , possibly 4th the season after , 3rd the season after that.

[flash]

What was the reaction when Aberdeen released the statement after they lost to Darvel singling out Goodwin and stating the 'football monitoring group' had made it clear to him things had to improve?

My memory was it was pretty much ridicule across the board from their own fans, their own ex players (most vocally Alex McLeish), fans of other teams and the media. He was sacked a week later.

We have all but made the same statement now. I don't have any real issue with it as such. Singling out the manager isn't great but then the people who wrote it are partially responsible for the problems and they were never likely to single out themselves. It's the lot of a manager that they carry the can when things aren't working whilst players and the executive team have a greater degree of shielding.

We have backed ourselves into a corner now though. Some people have read the statement as a backing of Montgomery and expect him to be here next season, others see it as an ultimatum and think it has all but sealed his fate. Whatever action we take next will be subject to criticism now. Sack him and it will be 'shocking after backing him only a few weeks ago', lose a couple of bottom 6 games and then retain him and it will be 'so what was the point in the review if he just gets away with it?'

As I said before I do feel for the club a wee bit. There was an element of they had to say something at play and no matter how bland the statement they put out it was always going to be pored over and double meanings or hints found. Maybe it was a time when less would have been more. Omit anything that singles out any one individual. 'The board are aware of supporter feeling and we know this season hasn't been good enough. We are working with the Black Knights Group and will be carrying out a full review of all club operations in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support'.

I suppose the only difference between us and Aberdeen is we now have access to people and assets beyond anything probably ever seen in Scottish football before.

How we use them and whether it results in success very much remains to be seen.

[Gloucester Hibs]

Big fan of all the folk who were raging that the club hadn't made a statement now being raging that the club has made a statement.

Do you ever take a break from having pops at fellow Hibs fans? Seems to be your raison d'etre. Incessant.

[Alex Trager]

Agree with that. Also heard people there on Sunday said they were impressed by Monty’s tone.

What does that mean? Can you give examples of his tone? Or what he was saying?

[flash]

Do you ever take a break from having pops at fellow Hibs fans? Seems to be your raison d'etre. Incessant.

Only the ones who deserve it.

[RossScott1991]

We are going through a period in the clubs history again, of the 2010 sort of era again. Drifting along, the feel good factor to the 2016 cup win onto Lennon days and players like Mcginn is long gone. Abit like the days after the league cup win.

That it feels like the right time for Derek Mcinnes. If you asked me that 4 years ago I’d have said no chance.

But it’s his time now, perfect chance for him to enhance his CV more after kilmarnock by building Hibs back up again. Results driven, and consistent finishes in league that it almost feels like a given we will be 3rd 4th or 5th under him is what the club needs. He would need time as you’re building a defence from scratch.

He’s the sort of guy I think for 2/3 seasons he could bring in some good defenders and leave us in a much healthier shape for the next again manager. Probably unpopular among fans with him. But to me that statement reads Monty is done for and the next appointment just needs to be someone proven in this league.

[Forza Fred]

Big fan of all the folk who were raging that the club hadn't made a statement now being raging that the club has made a statement.

:top marks

[Phil MaGlass]

He will be gone at the end of the season, even if we somehow manage to win all our last games. I don't think he will be in any future planning, the club needs to go forward, his football has been sending us backwards.

[blackpoolhibs]

Any investigation has to come to the conclusion that the TEAM needs sorted as the number one priority, new indoor pitches are great, new bars in the FF are great, but first and foremost the team is what drives this club forward with the fans, and the reason we go to the new bars and drink the beer and eat the food.

Of course getting the infrastructure right is important, it was important when i first heard this mooted 25 years ago, but the ****in team should ALWAYS be the number 1 priority over everything else, as a winning team fills the ground and fills the hospitality.

If the Foleys are that minted and that invested in us having success, then please sort this team out while every other investment goes on, we just want a decent team, is that too much to ask for?

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

The way some folk act in here after the statement. Imagine what they’ll be like if we are successful and then have a bad run like The Rangers are on just now.

I can see how Celtic and The Rangers fans get so entitled about football.

Have we had a bad season? Yes. Are we planning to review that and take action? Yes.

Good, it’s not all milk and honey. We will have average and poor seasons in the future. We just hope that those types of seasons are not the norm.

[Bostonhibby]

The way some folk act in here after the statement. Imagine what they’ll be like if we are successful and then have a bad run like The Rangers are on just now.

I can see how Celtic and The Rangers fans get so entitled about football.

Have we had a bad season? Yes. Are we planning to review that and take action? Yes.

Good, it’s not all milk and honey. We will have average and poor seasons in the future. We just hope that those types of seasons are not the norm.

[emoji106]I see you're point but am only responding to say we might have inadvertently discovered our new motto right here.

"Hibs, it's not all milk and honey"

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Pretty Boy]

The way some folk act in here after the statement. Imagine what they’ll be like if we are successful and then have a bad run like The Rangers are on just now.

I can see how Celtic and The Rangers fans get so entitled about football.

Have we had a bad season? Yes. Are we planning to review that and take action? Yes.

Good, it’s not all milk and honey. We will have average and poor seasons in the future. We just hope that those types of seasons are not the norm.

Could it not be argued that people are acting the way they are because average and poor seasons are the norm?

[Winston Ingram]

I'm pleased they mentioned that they are doing this review in conjunction with the Black Knights Group.

It points to a more rational approach to deciding Monty's future, which will dismiss all the 'he needs a window', 'can't keep sacking managers', 'he's a nice guy' pish. His record with us is not capable of withstanding any scrutiny and he will rightly be binned, albeit several months too late.

We have proven for years that we have sod all expertise in evaluating and recruiting managers so hopefully we can pool their knowledge, use their contacts and attract and appoint a decent replacement.

[Since452]

I'm pleased they mentioned that they are doing this review in conjunction with the Black Knights Group.

It points to a more rational approach to deciding Monty's future, which will dismiss all the 'he needs a window', 'can't keep sacking managers', 'he's a nice guy' pish. His record with us is not capable of withstanding any scrutiny and he will rightly be binned, albeit several months too late.

We have proven for years that we have sod all expertise in evaluating and recruiting managers so hopefully we can pool their knowledge, use their contacts and attract and appoint a decent replacement.

Agreed :agree:

[Mcbizz1998]

We are going through a period in the clubs history again, of the 2010 sort of era again. Drifting along, the feel good factor to the 2016 cup win onto Lennon days and players like Mcginn is long gone. Abit like the days after the league cup win.

That it feels like the right time for Derek Mcinnes. If you asked me that 4 years ago I’d have said no chance.

But it’s his time now, perfect chance for him to enhance his CV more after kilmarnock by building Hibs back up again. Results driven, and consistent finishes in league that it almost feels like a given we will be 3rd 4th or 5th under him is what the club needs. He would need time as you’re building a defence from scratch.

He’s the sort of guy I think for 2/3 seasons he could bring in some good defenders and leave us in a much healthier shape for the next again manager. Probably unpopular among fans with him. But to me that statement reads Monty is done for and the next appointment just needs to be someone proven in this league.


I tend to agree and I never thought I would want McInnes. We should be using some of the investment money to double his salary, along with working and possibly living in Edinburgh, I would like to think we would have a good chance of getting him.

Having said that, he may see us as the basket case we are want to stay well clear - I can't say I would blame him.

[Stuart93]

The way some folk act in here after the statement. Imagine what they’ll be like if we are successful and then have a bad run like The Rangers are on just now.

I can see how Celtic and The Rangers fans get so entitled about football.

Have we had a bad season? Yes. Are we planning to review that and take action? Yes.

Good, it’s not all milk and honey. We will have average and poor seasons in the future. We just hope that those types of seasons are not the norm.

We hope those types of season are not the norm??? Those types of seasons have been hibs in a nut shell for as long as I can remember more often than not

I think fans are rightly pissed off because when the Gordon’s came in we thought maybe there’s a chance now that we can realise our potential and really kick on yet here we are.

[RIP]

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock and the Yorkshire Pudding II is now on his way out sooner rather than later with McDermott close behind as Foley will want his own people in place going forward to spend all his cash.

Kensall will be safe exactly as he planned when he set in motion the last clever reorganisation that fully protected his position and hung the manager and DoF out to dry.

People can't or won't acknowledge the difference between a CEO, a Director of Football and a Head Coach / Manager.

Monty is accountable for the success or failure of fhe tactics, fitness and performance of the squad.

As his boss, McDermott is accountable for the success or failure of the entire Football operation from recruitment of the coaching team, players and backroom staff.

As his boss, Kensell is responsible for the overall performance of the club. I.e. Finance, investment, infrastructure and of course the appointment of the Director of Football.

Why is this so complicated for posters to comprehend?

And what did the 2023 review achieve, apart from the recruitment of the Invisible Man?

[hibeerealist]

So a review of the football structure, does Ben Kensell avoid being part of any review as he falls outside of the footballing structure? Does McDermott survive this?

I think the statement is pish, the cowards hide behind 'Hibernian FC Board of Directors' while they name one man, hanging him out on his own when then non-footballing side are worse than anything on the pitch. They also use Black Knight Football Club as a distraction, do Black Knight own us now? I've said it before, we are being controlled by a 25% stakeholder, pony up and then you can call the shots.

Ben Kensell. Take a flying **** to yourself, you are a disgrace. If you survive this season then there's no chance I'll be back.

#
Jeezo, take a pill and calm doon!

Ben gave you a slap or something cos thats some post!!!

[hibeerealist]

We were two points away from making the top 6, 20 seconds, games where we were wronged with decisions from inept officials, the margins have been fine this season and if any of those matches like the throw in at Ross County hadn’t been given we wouldn’t be talking of the failure we are now experiencing and we would be looking forward to trying to finish fifth or fourth, I do have some sympathy for the team in a season where officialdom has seriously let us as a club down.


Ah but NM substitutions, formation etc did not contribute to our losing points!

[Not So Young]

When the Foley investment was first announce this forum was split between it being the best thing since sliced bread and the last thing we want as we will lose our identity. I said I would wait and see what they do.

Not making the top six meant there had to be a review, and probably casualties.

What I find interesting is the review is being carried out by the Black Nights, they seem to be wielding a lot of influence for a minority shareholder, though they do have places on the board.

I fear that the Gordon family are not as committed to the Club as Ron was, a bit like Brooks Mileson at Gretna. Very quickly after he died the family withdrew their financial support.

Hibs were Ron's project and I think the family are looking for a way out, content to sit in the background until that can be achieved.

I'm not suggesting we'll go bust and I'm not suggesting the review is not desperately needed, and I'm still in the "wait and see camp" before deciding if the BK investment is a good or bad thing.

I think we are now at the start of what will be a very interesting period in our history with the next couple of seasons being pivotal

[hibeerealist]

What was the reaction when Aberdeen released the statement after they lost to Darvel singling out Goodwin and stating the 'football monitoring group' had made it clear to him things had to improve?

My memory was it was pretty much ridicule across the board from their own fans, their own ex players (most vocally Alex McLeish), fans of other teams and the media. He was sacked a week later.

We have all but made the same statement now. I don't have any real issue with it as such. Singling out the manager isn't great but then the people who wrote it are partially responsible for the problems and they were never likely to single out themselves. It's the lot of a manager that they carry the can when things aren't working whilst players and the executive team have a greater degree of shielding.

We have backed ourselves into a corner now though. Some people have read the statement as a backing of Montgomery and expect him to be here next season, others see it as an ultimatum and think it has all but sealed his fate. Whatever action we take next will be subject to criticism now. Sack him and it will be 'shocking after backing him only a few weeks ago', lose a couple of bottom 6 games and then retain him and it will be 'so what was the point in the review if he just gets away with it?'

As I said before I do feel for the club a wee bit. There was an element of they had to say something at play and no matter how bland the statement they put out it was always going to be pored over and double meanings or hints found. Maybe it was a time when less would have been more. Omit anything that singles out any one individual. 'The board are aware of supporter feeling and we know this season hasn't been good enough. We are working with the Black Knights Group and will be carrying out a full review of all club operations in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support'.


Good post PB

[hibeerealist]

I get the impression the Black Knight review will have been taking place since before the investment was finalised. My impression of this is that Foley will take over football matters , similar to Ratcliffe at Man United.
Works best for the Gordons who, whilst having Hibs best interests at heart, lacked experience in runing a sizeable sports club. Ben Kensall seems to have good operational manaagement / commercial experience and will probably focus on that but doesnt have the experience in the football side of things.
So its an arrangement which works best as the people in place did their best and whilst they were good at the off field activities werent operating at the same level on the pitch. Foley will bring that to the table.
Foley , like any other large company want their people in place , and in my opinion the football side is what they are interest in will want their appointments influencing the football aspect. So would expect a new Director of Football (so it can be aligned with the Bournemouth led pyramid), a new manager (someone who has evidence of a top 3 club experience) and a playing squad who can cement 3rd place and get into the Euro group stages. The DOF and manager announcements will happen shortly , can see McDermott taking a more focussed role in scouting , loans , etc as that will play a more prominent role at Hibs. The playing squad will happen over the next couple of seasons as its harder to move players on , but Black Knights appear to want regular progress not overnight success , so expect to be a couple of place higher next season , possibly 4th the season after , 3rd the season after that.


I agree with all of what you posted here BW, the sensible , silent majority will too.

[lyonhibs]

I suppose the only difference between us and Aberdeen is we now have access to people and assets beyond anything probably ever seen in Scottish football before.

How we use them and whether it results in success very much remains to be seen.

I think expectations and aspirations re: exactly what the BK involvement will bring to the table in terms of on field success in the short/immediate term should be tempered somewhat.

Where we fall in the priority hierarchy of Foley's "empire" is unknown and may be lower than we, as Hibs fans, would ideally like.

[hibeerealist]

When the Foley investment was first announce this forum was split between it being the best thing since sliced bread and the last thing we want as we will lose our identity. I said I would wait and see what they do.

Not making the top six meant there had to be a review, and probably casualties.

What I find interesting is the review is being carried out by the Black Nights, they seem to be wielding a lot of influence for a minority shareholder, though they do have places on the board.

I fear that the Gordon family are not as committed to the Club as Ron was, a bit like Brooks Mileson at Gretna. Very quickly after he died the family withdrew their financial support.

Hibs were Ron's project and I think the family are looking for a way out, content to sit in the background until that can be achieved.

I'm not suggesting we'll go bust and I'm not suggesting the review is not desperately needed, and I'm still in the "wait and see camp" before deciding if the BK investment is a good or bad thing.

I think we are now at the start of what will be a very interesting period in our history with the next couple of seasons being pivotal

Could it not be that they realise this is a difficult gig if you are not 100% experienced in what you are doing. Lets get that experience onboard with us and take the club to where Ron wanted it to go! I feel sure they do not want to let Ron or the fans down.

[GreenPJ]

When the Foley investment was first announce this forum was split between it being the best thing since sliced bread and the last thing we want as we will lose our identity. I said I would wait and see what they do.

Not making the top six meant there had to be a review, and probably casualties.

What I find interesting is the review is being carried out by the Black Nights, they seem to be wielding a lot of influence for a minority shareholder, though they do have places on the board.

I fear that the Gordon family are not as committed to the Club as Ron was, a bit like Brooks Mileson at Gretna. Very quickly after he died the family withdrew their financial support.

Hibs were Ron's project and I think the family are looking for a way out, content to sit in the background until that can be achieved.

I'm not suggesting we'll go bust and I'm not suggesting the review is not desperately needed, and I'm still in the "wait and see camp" before deciding if the BK investment is a good or bad thing.

I think we are now at the start of what will be a very interesting period in our history with the next couple of seasons being pivotal

I think when you saw Kit Gordon make her statement at the AGM I think she was 100% genuine that for her she wanted the Gordon family commitment to Hibs continue as she saw it as part of continuing Ron's legacy. What shape or form that commitment takes is another question and clearly part of the Black Knight involvement is to share some of the cost (and gain) on investment but I would not doubt the Gordon's commitment to Hibs at this stage but clearly from a financial perspective they are a drop in the ocean vs Black Knight's capabilities.