DESPITE his relatively young age, new Hibs manager Marink Reedijk will bring a wealth of experience to the role.
His sharp rise from coaching at a grassroots level in his hometown to working with the KNVB, the national football federation of the Netherlands, was crucial.
Reedijk worked closely with a programme that developed teenage prospects who were seeking to make the jump to the biggest and best Dutch club academies.
Still at a young age, Reedijk then joined up with AFC Ajax’s academy, famed for its ability to consistently nurture and form world-class talents.
Initially finding an in at the European giants by impressing with his opposition analysis at youth level, he would quickly move into coaching – later working with the likes of Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Next for Reedijk was a move to England, as he joined West Bromwich Albion’s academy, where he coached Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for a club-record £117m in July 2026.
The heavy technical-focus approach to coaching in the Netherlands was notably absent in England, as he found himself adapting to an entirely different way of teaching – with less focus on technical ability allowing for more concentration on squad tactics, nurturing personalities and understanding a variety of philosophies beyond the traditional Dutch “Total Football” style.
This broadening of skills forged the path for Reedijk’s jump to working in senior football, as he became an assistant coach at Belgian second-tier outfit, KSV Roeselare in 2018, before moving to Dutch Eredivisie side SBV Vitesse in June 2021.
At this same time, Reedijk earned a Doctorate in Sport Coaching from Cardiff Metropolitan University – showcasing his in-depth analysis and learnings of football coaching.
In his first season with Vitesse, working under Thomas Letsch, the club finished sixth in the Dutch top-flight and competed in European football.
Phillip Cocu took over as head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season, with Vitesse finishing mid-table and Reedijk departing at the season’s end following two years in Arnhem.
A first head coach role in senior football followed in July 2023 with RSCA Futures – the development side of Belgian heavyweights, RSC Anderlecht.
Competing in the second tier of Belgian football, Reedijk quickly impressed as head coach, having been named the Challenger Pro League Manager of the Month in October 2023.
His stimulating brand of football – described as high-pressing and possession-heavy – was on clear show in Anderlecht, but was developed and improved further when implemented at his next club.
After one full season in Anderlecht, Reedijk became head coach of fellow second-tier club, SK Beveren.
It was here, in his second season with Beveren, that Reedijk oversaw a historic record-breaking campaign that propelled Beveren into the top-flight of Belgian football.
In his first season with the East Flanders outfit, Reedijk led his side to an impressive fourth-place finish – a four-place rise from the season prior.
Just two home losses throughout the league campaign, as well as only one loss in the last 16 league games of the campaign, was crucial to Beveren’s promotion push, which ended in the promotion play-off quarter-finals.
The following campaign, Reedijk exceptionally guided Beveren to the first unbeaten league season in Belgium since 1934.
With 28 wins and four draws, Reedijk’s charges did not lose a single league match as they romped to the 2025/26 Challenge Pro League title.
Reedijk’s Beveren demolished the opposition by accruing 88 points from a possible 96, finishing 21 points clear of second-place and holding onto top spot from matchday five.
Winning the league title and securing promotion by February did not distract Reedijk and his squad, as they played eight more matches and continued their unbeaten streak – showing a hardy determination and ruthlessness that impressed football fans on the continent.
No team in the division came close to Beveren’s highest goals scored (74) or lowest goals conceded (23) tallies.
After departing Beveren at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, the highly sought-after Reedijk now takes his next steps in his unique footballing journey in Leith, bringing his exciting brand of high-energy football, developed in Amsterdam, England and Anderlecht, to Easter Road Stadium.
