Former Bantams Defender Joins Hibernian As Manager
Scottish Premier League side Hibernian have today confirmed that former Bradford City defender Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager. Hibernian Chief Executive Leeann Dempster confirmed that Heckingbottom was the only person offered the job, this after reports that former Blackburn Rovers boss Michael Appleton had turned down the post.
Heckingbottom, who was heavily linked with the Bantams managers role last summer has signed a contract until the summer of 2022, he will be joined by the new assistant manager and former Scotland international Robbie Stockdale, who was also linked to the City job.
After having three spells as a player at Valley Parade he led Barnsley to a Football League Trophy triumph and promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in 2016 during a spell in caretaker charge at the club whilst he consolidated their position in England’s second tier after getting the job on a full-time basis. He left for Leeds last season but lasted only four months before being replaced by Marcelo Bielsa in the summer.
Specking about becoming appointed manager of Hibs Paul Heckingbottom said, “It’s an honour to be named manager of Hibernian Football Club, a club with a rich history and commitment to playing attacking football. There is so much potential here and the club has everything going for it. I’m looking forward to getting to work and meeting the players and staff, before stepping up preparations for Saturday’s game against Hamilton. I will give everything I have to be a success here, the supporters can be assured of that.”
