Hibernian have appointed their club captain, Franck Sauzee, as their new first team manager after the departure of Alex McLeish to Rangers. The 36-year-old had been widely tipped to take over from McLeish but the Easter Road board have moved swiftly to make the announcement. Sauzee will have Donald Park as his assistant and first team coach after being offered a contract for 18 months.
Sauzee returned from France only yesterday where he was having treatment on his Achilles injury. The French playmaker has become a fans' favourite at the club since his arrival on a free transfer from Montpellier in February 1999 and was widely tipped to take over from McLeish.
Sauzee insisted that he would not be daunted by his new role at the club. "I am very happy and very proud as well to be manager here - I'm not afraid and I'm delighted to work for the club," said Sauzee. "I have seen the club improve a lot in the three years since I joined and I will do my best for Hibs."
A clearly delighted Easter Road chairman, Malcolm McPherson, insisted that the Frenchman's enthusiasm for the job convinced the board that they had made the right decision. "We have repeatedly said that we were in no hurry to make an appointment but it was the board's intention to meet with Franck and discuss the position."
"We had a conversation with him this morning and he showed a huge enthusiasm to take over as manager of Hibs and will do so immediately. We're also delighted that Donald Park will assist Franck with the first team," added McPherson.
Filed by John Raftery
