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Paul Heckingbottom takes over at Hibernian

The former Barnsley and Leeds boss has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Easter Road.

Hibernian highlighted Paul Heckingbottom's commitment to attacking football as they appointed the former Leeds and Barnsley manager as their new head coach.

Heckingbottom has signed a deal until the summer of 2022 after winning the race to succeed Neil Lennon.

Former Blackburn manager Michael Appleton had been hotly tipped to take over earlier in the week but contract talks reportedly stalled and Heckingbottom has been handed the role.

The 41-year-old led Barnsley to a Football League Trophy triumph and promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in 2016 during a spell in caretaker charge and 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.

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster said in a statement: "Paul made a really positive impression on us from our first meeting with him.

"His work at Barnsley speaks for itself, where he was able to combine the kind of dynamic, attacking football our own fans appreciate with the development of some talented young players.

Paul Heckingbottom enjoyed double Wembley success with Barnsley
Paul Heckingbottom enjoyed double Wembley success with Barnsley (Nigel French/PA)

"With the structure we already have in place, Paul is the right person to embrace that support and take it to a new level.

Heckingbottom will be assisted by former Scotland international Robbie Stockdale.

He said: "It's an honour to be named head coach 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 on Thursday, before stepping up preparations for Saturday's game against Hamilton.

"I will give everything I have to be a success here. Supporters can be assured of that."

Hibs sit in eighth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership and have a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Celtic to look forward to.

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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000097227581
2RangersRangers000068353366
3Hibernian000054411353
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd00004140150
5Aberdeen00004549-450
6St Mirren00004554-941
Relegation Group
1Hearts00004344-140
2Motherwell00003756-1939
3Kilmarnock00003858-2035
4Ross County00003356-2335
5Dundee00005071-2134
6St Johnstone00003358-2529
 
First Phase
1Celtic33263497227581
2RangersRangers33206768353366
3Hibernian331411854411353
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd33148114140150
5Aberdeen33148114549-450
6St Mirren33125164554-941
7Hearts33117154344-140
8Motherwell33116163756-1939
9Kilmarnock3398163858-2035
10Ross County3398163356-2335
11Dundee3397175071-2134
12St Johnstone3385203358-2529


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