Lee Johnson deserves credit says Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell as he updated fans on the search for a director of football.
The Easter Road outfit announced last month that fans would see a change in the structure of the Leith hierarchy with chairman and owner Ron Gordon and Kensell in agreement that a director of football would be a step forward. The move was also back publicly by Johnson who referred to his experience of previous clubs where the role was in place and operating well.
Now the Hibees supremo admits a review of the club's business in the summer transfer window sparked the discussions while former Easter Road striker and manager Mixu Paatelainen has reportedly taken interest in the role. Yet Kensell was keen to highlight the efforts of boss Johnson for his 'full support' of the plans.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: "The Director of Football decision was quite straightforward. When we reviewed the summer transfer window Ron Gordon and I sat down to review it as a pair, and then it was reviewed by the wider board. We agreed that change was probably needed. We needed some more football support.
"The instability of having too many managers in such a short space of time brings about a change in playing personnel, methodology, and football strategy but not football objectives. The last two are very different.
"The strategy might be the way we want to play and having an identity to that, whereas the football objectives are wanting to finish in the European positions, go as deep as we can in the cup competitions, and run a financially-stable club that the fans can be immensely proud of, and we want to improve the infrastructure around the ground and the fan experience.
"I'd imagine we'll have someone in post before the end of the season. I would be disappointed if we didn't have someone in by then, because they'll be heavily involved in the summer window.
"It’s something I'm familiar working with and was comfortable and happy to re-introduce but with different personnel at the helm. Credit to Lee as well because he wasn't brought in under that model, but was fully supportive of the change."
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