JOHN COLLINS today sensationally quit as manager of Hibs – blaming the lack of resources available to strengthen the team.
The former Scotland star stunned chairman Rod Petrie with the news just 24 hours after helping open the club's £4.9 million state-of-the-art training centre. He took over the Easter Road hot seat barely 13 months ago.
QUIT: John Collins
It is understood Collins informed the board of directors at a meeting before heading to the new training ground to deliver the shock news to his players in person.
Collins unexpectedly tendered his resignation at a scheduled meeting of the Hibs Board today.
Afterwards, he told a packed Press conference at Easter Road his departure was down to the financial constraints he has been forced to work under.
He said: "I feel that I leave with the CIS Cup in the trophy cabinet, a fine set of young players, a great new training ground. During my time as manager we have brought in over £8.8million and paid out £360,000 in compensation (on new players].
"My reasons for resigning are that I feel I have taken the club under the current resources available as far as I can."
He added: "I came to the club 14 months ago and we've worked tirelessly, myself and the staff.
"There are lots of great memories, great matches but I felt that, at this moment in time, I couldn't take the club any further forward with the resources I had.
"Every football club has a budget and Hibs are no different I just felt that maybe it was the time to invest a little bit more in the team to take us forward.
"But I respect the board of directors, they've done a fine job.
"The club is in a great situation. The stadium is great, there's a wonderful training complex – it's been an amazing year for the club.
"The offers that have come in for players probably couldn't be refused, that's the reality of the situation but one thing it does is make my job harder.
"I love a challenge but I just came to the conclusion that I am a young, ambitious manager. I don't really like treading water but that's the job.
"There are high expectations and I'll be judged by many people. Some will say I've done a bad job. Some will say I've done a good job.
"I will always paint a pretty picture and say we've taken £8.8 million in transfers and we've invested £360,000 in compensation for players.
"We've won the CIS Cup and there are young players coming through the system again, another good group.
"Personally, I think we've punched above our weight – it's been a pleasure locking horns with the Old Firm."
Collins revealed that his dream would have been to seriously challenge the Old Firm at the top of the league.
And, asked if he thought he could have done that if the board had provided him with more transfer cash, he simply replied: "Who knows?"
Hibs chairman Rod Petrie said that the board had tried to work with Collins.
He said: "We sought to persuade John to stay on but unfortunately he has chosen to go.
"John's decision came as a surprise, and we made determined efforts to dissuade him and to work with him through the difficulties that are concerning him.
"We wish John and his family well and we thank him for his work at the club."
Collins resignation will send shock waves through the Easter Road support who had delighted in seeing a former player who had begun his glittering career at Hibs return to succeed Tony Mowbray as manager.
Within six months Collins and his assistant Tommy Craig had won the CIS Insurance Cup, Hibs first trophy in 16 years as they defeated Kilmarnock 5-1 in the final at Hampden.
But the celebrations of that day had hardly subsided before news of a player revolt within the Easter Road dressing room erupted.
Some 16 players were said to have visited chairman Petrie's house to inform him of their grievances, a move which was known to have infuriated Collins who was abroad at the time.
The matter was resolved when skipper Rob Jones issued a public apology on behalf of the players and it was thought that had brought the air of disharmony to an end.
Having seen Kevin Thomson, who had been stripped of the captain's armband by Collins, move on to Rangers in a £2 million transfer last January, a host of other stars headed for the Easter Road exit door.
Scott Brown went to Celtic for £4.5 million, Ivan Sproule to Bristol City for £450,000 while Chris Killen and Michael Stewart joined Celtic and Hearts respectively at the end of their contracts.
All in all some £10 million was pulled in via transfer fees but while new faces such as Brian Kerr, Alan O'Brien, Clayton Donaldson, Yves Ma-Kalambay were brought in as replacements. Many questioned whether they enjoyed the same talent as those who had left.
Hibs, however, confounded everyone by making a super charge start to the season, amassing 21 points from the first round of fixtures and briefly topping the SPL table.
But recently Hibs have managed just one win from their last eight games, the six points gained seeing them slip to 5th place in the table.
Nevertheless the timing of today's news, just 48 hours before the start of the hectic festive period in which Hibs will play both Celtic and Rangers, will bemuse many.
There was no hint from Collins when the Evening News spoke to him this morning as to the drastic action which was to follow nor, it is understood did Petrie or his fellow directors have an inkling of what was about to happen.
Recent speculation has linked Collins to the vacant position as Scotland manager since the departure of Alex McLeish.
However a Scottish Football Association spokesman stressed that Collins' resignation from Hibernian was entirely unconnected to the national team post.
Assistant manager Tommy Craig will remain at the club for the time being and take charge of the team for Saturday's trip to Parkhead.
Collins issued a statement this afternoon, saying: "I have resigned today with immediate effect from my role as manager of Hibernian Football Club.
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish Hibernian FC, the players, staff and backroom staff, Tommy Craig in particular, for their support during my time as manager.
"As a former player of Hibs it has been a great honour for me to be manager during this period when we won the CIS Cup, Hibs' first trophy for 16 years and have developed so many excellent young players."
