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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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A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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