New Hibs Manager Marink Reedijk Faces Immediate Pressure in Tannadice Test
The Dutch coach, appointed successor to David Gray, steps into a challenging situation with Hibernian languishing near the bottom of the league.
Marink Reedijk, the new head coach of Hibernian FC, faces an immediate baptism by fire in his first match in charge against Dundee United at Tannadice. The 34-year-old Dutchman, who arrives with an undefeated league record from his time with Beveren in Belgium's second tier, inherits a Hibs side struggling near the relegation zone.
Reedijk's appointment draws parallels with that of Scotland's new head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, both being relatively unheralded figures stepping into new national roles. Like Pocognoli, Reedijk is an unknown quantity in a foreign land, and at 34, he is even younger than the Scotland manager.
Life at Hibernian is unlikely to be dull under Reedijk, whose Beveren side was known for its high-tempo attacking football. During a recent intense training camp in La Manga, Reedijk pushed his players hard, describing it as a "pre-season on steroids." He emphasized the need for efficient use of time, conducting double sessions and individual player meetings to instill his ideas and preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, a shift from the previous 3-5-2.
Hibernian's season has been on a downward trajectory since a victory over Rangers at Ibrox in August. The team has suffered six consecutive home defeats, a club record not seen since 1920, and currently sits tenth in the league table with only two wins from their opening seven matches. A loss to Dundee United, who are one point ahead in ninth place, could further complicate Reedijk's start.
The gamble on the 34-year-old coach, whose prior experience was in the Belgian second division, is significant given the club's precarious league position. Reedijk's success at Beveren, where his team achieved promotion with a perfect professional league campaign last season (28 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses) and scored freely, clearly impressed executive chairman Ian Gordon and sporting director Malky Mackay. Prior to Beveren, Reedijk managed Anderlecht's reserve side and worked within the academies of Ajax and West Brom.
A holder of a PhD in sports coaching, Reedijk possesses a modern, progressive profile, but the demands of Scottish football present a distinct challenge. He needs to achieve immediate results to prevent the season from spiraling.
In a tangible sign of intent, Hibs recently signed former Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo on a free transfer. Matondo, who previously played for Schalke, impressed during training sessions, scoring twice and providing two assists in bounce games. He brings pace and directness, attributes the team has lacked, though his record is marked by inconsistency and injuries. Like Reedijk's appointment, Matondo's signing represents a potential gamble for the club.
The match against Dundee United will provide the first clear indication of the impact of Reedijk's gamble and his approach on the pitch. The new manager arrives with a strong track record in Belgium but faces immediate pressure to solve Hibernian's ongoing problems and lift the team from their current league standing.