Former Hull City man sacked as questions raised on future of loan player

Hibernian are looking for another new manager after ending their gamble on Shaun Maloney after just four months. Former Hull City player Maloney was head-hunted by Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell and left his role as Belgium assistant manager to take up the role in December, but a damaging double derby defeat by Hearts has cost the former Scotland international his job.

Chairman Ron Gordon said in a statement: "Our hope in appointing Shaun Maloney as a young, highly-regarded coach was that he would help us take the club forward, but ultimately it didn't work out. We thank Shaun and his coaching staff for all their hard work and efforts and wish them all the best for the future."

Gordon has again shown he will not shy away from change after sacking Jack Ross in December with the club preparing for the Premier Sports Cup final. Ross also led Hibs to the Scottish Cup final and a third-placed finish last season as well as two other semi-finals during his two years in charge.

Maloney, who took over the day after Hibs' cup final defeat by Celtic, won his first two matches in charge against Aberdeen and Dundee United. But Hibernian have only won one Premiership game in 2022 and a 3-1 league defeat against Hearts consigned them to a bottom-six finish before they lost 2-1 to their rivals in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Maloney has been without a full team of players at times through illness, injury and suspension - with Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet out long term - and the club sold Australia winger Martin Boyle late in the transfer window. Hibs, who have chairman Gordon's son, Ian, leading their recruitment team, brought in a number of largely inexperienced players in January with the likes of Jamie Murphy, Alex Gogic and