Hibs Manager Reedijk Faces Crucial Week Amidst Early Struggles
New boss Marink Reedijk seeks first win as Hibernian faces a daunting schedule including Celtic, St. Mirren, and a crucial cup semi-final.
Marink Reedijk, the new manager of Hibernian Football Club, is facing a pivotal week early in his tenure. Just two games into his role, the 35-year-old Dutchman has experienced a challenging start, with his team suffering consecutive defeats.
The club's recent 2-1 home loss to Falkirk marked their first top-flight defeat to their opponents in 20 years, sending Hibernian to the bottom of the Premiership table. This followed a 1-0 away loss to Dundee United in Reedijk's inaugural match.
Reedijk's upcoming schedule is demanding. He will first lead his team against defending champions Celtic, a match where expectations are understandably low. Following this, Hibernian faces St. Mirren away on Wednesday night, a fixture described as crucial for building momentum. The week culminates with a significant Premier Sports Cup semi-final against rivals Hearts at Hampden Park next Sunday.
Comparisons have been drawn to Wilfried Nancy, whose tenure at Celtic was cut short after a difficult start. A worst-case scenario for Reedijk, involving five consecutive losses, could place him in a similar pressure situation.
Reedijk arrived at Hibernian having previously led SK Beveren in Belgium. There, he guided the club to an undefeated title-winning season in the 2023-24 season, finishing 21 points clear in the top flight. His previous season saw the team finish fourth in the second-tier Challenger Pro League, losing only twice in the latter part of the campaign.
Reedijk has described his coaching philosophy as demanding 'assertive, brave, intense and committed' play. He acknowledged that his previous role required a club to be '100 percent committed' to his profile as a young, non-former player manager.
Hibernian has experienced significant managerial turnover in recent years, with Reedijk being the seventh manager since January 2019. The club's executive chairman, Ian Gordon, and sporting director, Malky Mackay, were reportedly convinced by Reedijk's vision during the recruitment process.
The team's current struggles are compounded by a lengthy injury list and challenges in player recruitment. Furthermore, wider fan discord has been noted, exemplified by a ban on the Block Seven ultras group. The club has not won a home league game in over six months.
The coming eight days are expected to provide a clearer indication of Reedijk's suitability for the managerial position at Easter Road.