Hibernian filled their managerial vacancy today after 3 long weeks, with Mixu Paatelainen the chosen man. After two spells as a player, and interviewed for the post last year before losing out to John Collins, Paatelainen now has the chance to succeed in the job he has openly coveted for some time.
He is an enormously popular figure at Easter Road, and just the appointment to lift the despondency of the past 2 months, following Hibs' horrendous slump in form and Collins' resignation.
Mixu Paatelainen played at a number of clubs during a long career, including Aberdeen and St Johnstone, but he really made a lasting impression at two. He is still a cult hero at Bolton, and secured a place in the affections of Hibs fans when he scored a hat trick in their rampaging win an Edinburgh derby in 2000. He was never the most technically able striker, but he played with his heart on his sleeve, and his trademark cartwheel celebration was quite something from such a chunky, well-built man.
He then left for Strasbourg, but returned to Edinburgh after just a season. Famously, he then resigned for Hibs after bumping into then manager Bobby Williamson during a training run around Arthur's Seat.
He has now served a manager's apprentice at Cowdenbeath and TPS Turku, which is more experience than Tony Mowbray and John Collins had.
It's now time to see if that experience can be put to good use.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment