Hibernian sack manager Nick Montgomery following 4-0 defeat to Aberdeen

Hibernian have sacked manager Nick Montgomery in the wake of the team’s 4-0 home defeat to Aberdeen.

The Englishman has been removed from his position after just eight months in charge, with the club citing poor results as their reason for making the change.

Pressure had built on Montgomery after Hibs failed to make the top six in the Premiership, with the club issuing a statement in April saying that they had held “detailed discussions” with the manager to ascertain the reasons for the “simply unacceptable” outcome.

The club said that they were conducting a full review of the club’s football structure in conjunction with Black Knight Football Club, who became major investors earlier this season.

Hibernian defeated St Johnstone 3-1 in Perth in their first post-split fixture but a 2-1 loss at Ross County followed by Sunday’s 4-0 home defeat to Aberdeen has sealed Montgomery’s fate.

A club statement read: “Hibernian FC can confirm that Nick Montgomery has been relieved of his duties as head coach.

“In addition, Sergio Raimundo and Miguel Miranda have also left the club with immediate effect.”

Majority shareholders the Gordon family said: “As a board this was not a decision we made lightly, but felt it a necessary one to move the team forward. Although Nick and his coaching team worked tirelessly, their efforts didn’t deliver the results we had hoped for.

“We’d like to thank Nick, Sergio, and Miguel for all of their hard work and dedication, and wish them all the best for the future.”

David Gray will take charge of the first team for the team’s remaining games this season, against Motherwell and Livingston.

Speaking after Sunday’s defeat, Montgomery had said that he knew an overhaul of the playing squad was needed this summer and that he was hopeful that the board would give him the opportunity to remain and carry out that work.

“I hope so,” he said. “Unless anything’s changed. The discussions I had coming into the club, they knew the challenge we had this season.

“The big picture was the investment coming in from Black Knight moving forward, the opportunity to put your own squad together which every manager wants to do.

“I keep saying we need four or five players, we need quality in the building. There are players moving on who are out of contract. There is definite change coming and we need a little bit of patience.”

Montgomery had asked for “patience” from the supporters and club and acknowledged that he was the fourth permanent manager in two-and-a-half years at Easter Road.

“I believe in myself and in the direction I feel I can take the club,” he said.

“Of course, my worry was managers have changed numerous times (at Hibs previously), but the board were really supportive.

“I have had one January transfer window, I tried to bring in players to improve the squad and felt like we did.

“But with a summer transfer window coming up and the chance to bring in players on permanent contracts and have a good pre-season, which is really important to build a culture and environment, I believe in myself.

“Results like today don’t help because there has been a lot of frustration and negativity around the club for a long time.

“I have said we need a bit of patience now.”