Jack Ross appointed as manager of Hibernian FC - ex-Sunderland boss handed a 3.5 year deal

Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross has been appointed as manager of Hibernian.

The Scottish coach - who was sacked by Sunderland in October after a 2-0 defeat away at Lincoln City - has signed a 3.5 year contract with the Easter Road side, who are just four points ahead of bottom-place St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership table.

Hibs have confirmed that ‘news on an assistant will follow in due course’ - as we reported earlier, Ross’s assistant at Sunderland, James Fowler, has taken up a position with Kilmarnock and thus will not be joining his former partner in his new venture.

John Potter, the man appointed as first team coach under Ross at Sunderland, is the only member of his staff still on Wearside, and it’s as yet unknown whether Potter will be approached to link back up with the former Alloa manager in Edinburgh.

Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

Upon his appointment, Ross said:

I’m proud to have been named Head Coach of Hibernian Football Club.

I think we all consider Hibernian to be one of the leading clubs in Scottish football – in terms of the history and passion of the supporters.

It’s up to all of us to help the squad live up to that.

We have some talented players, underpinned by a successful Academy, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we’re able to help every player fulfil his potential.

Graeme Mathie - Hibs Sporting Director - spoke of wanting to bring supporters an ‘entertaining’ team, one of the main reasons for Jack’s appointment:

It became very clear early on in our discussions with Jack that he would be a great fit for Hibernian. His ideas for the game and the development of the club tie in with our own.

We want to give supporters a team that they are proud of, that will entertain them and, ultimately, help bring about the kind of days that live long in the memory.

I look forward to working closely with Jack to help achieve that.

Ross won’t officially start work until Monday, before taking charge of his first game as Hibees gaffer until next Saturday (23/11/19) when Motherwell make the trip to Easter Road.