Latest news with #JackRoss
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
European qualification is a tonic all Scottish clubs want to savour ... but it can also be a POISONED CHALICE
The flights and hotels have been booked. The credit card hasn't yet been maxed out. The promise of an adventure with friends in foreign fields feels like a just reward for the hard miles travelled in support of their teams throughout the duration of last season. But, as supporters of Hibs and Dundee United prepare to dust down their passports for trips to Denmark and Luxembourg across the next fortnight, the sense of anticipation at what lies ahead should also come with a slight degree of trepidation. In recent years, the European experience for Premiership sides finishing among the best of the rest hasn't always been quite as billed. While participation is good for the soul and can be beneficial to a club's bank balance, it's often proven to be as much of a curse as a blessing. Just like the holidaymaker who arrives at their half-built hotel, continental competition may not be as seen in the brochure. Two years ago, United's first European tie in nine years ended with Tannadice rocking after a brilliant victory over AZ Alkmaar. Long-suffering supporters were in raptures after their side saw off the Dutch. Only just appointed manager, it was truly the start of his dreams for Jack Ross. What ensued was perhaps the most dramatic collapse in confidence ever witnessed in a Scottish side. Having lost their next home league game to Livingston, United were torn asunder in the Netherlands. They lost seven goals without reply and it might well have been double figures. Then they simply went into free fall. Heavy defeats to Hearts and St Mirren preceded a nine-goal home defeat to Celtic. It was like someone had switched off the power supply. Ross was gone in a flash, doubtless cursing the fact he'd inherited such an arduous early assignment. At least he managed to see the start of that domestic season. Graham Alexander didn't even get that far at Motherwell. The former Scotland international had arrived at Fir Park in January 2021 with a remit to keep the struggling Steelmen in the top flight. He achieved that, then impressively guided them to fifth place and into Europe the following year. A Conference League qualifying round tie with Sligo Rovers seemed like the perfect way to start the next campaign. In fact, what looked like a shoo-in was anything but. Beaten home and away by the League of Ireland side, Alexander felt the wrath of the faithful - and then some. He met with chairman Jim McMahon the next day and told him he'd come to the end of the road. So much for the glory of Europe. Defeats to unheralded sides haven't always immediately proved fatal, yet they can leave managers seriously wounded. After Antonio Conte approved him as Steve Clarke's successor as Kilmarnock manager in 2019, Angelo Alessio's first competitive game should have been a cakewalk against Welsh minnows Connah's Quay Nomads. A 2-1 away victory in the first leg preceded a scarcely believable 2-0 loss at Rugby Park in the return. The former Italy and Chelsea assistant was on borrowed time from that moment on. It was a wonder he limped on to December before inevitably being bulleted. Two years back, Lee Johnson was also left teetering on the brink after Hibs suffered a humiliating 2-1 loss to Andorran side Inter Club D'Escaldes. While Hibs did prevail with a comfortable second-leg win, many fans never forgave Johnston for having the nerve to tell them to calm down after the disaster in the principality. After being hammered 5-0 at home by Aston Villa and losing 3-2 to Livingston, he was shown the door. But it's not just these early qualifying rounds which should spell danger for any manager eagerly anticipating a continental campaign. Group-stage participation is another minefield. Tasked with balancing European commitments with the domestic bread and butter, many have discovered to their cost that this high-wire act is nigh impossible. Robbie Neilson's return to Hearts saw him take the team out of the Championship prior to a third-placed Premiership finish in 2022, with the prize coming in the form of European qualification. Having coped fairly well with a brutal schedule up to Christmas, Hearts' legs gave way down the home stretch. They won just three of their final 11 league matches and were beaten into third spot by an Aberdeen side whose lighter load saw them surge up the table after Barry Robson succeeded Jim Goodwin in the January. Robson, though, would quickly appreciate exactly what Neilson had to contend with. In their eight league matches immediately following Europa or Conference League games the following season, the Dons claimed just one victory and two draws. By February 2024, with the team destined for the bottom-six, the axe fell. Hearts, by then under the stewardship of Steven Naismith, were well on their way to reclaiming third place again. The fact the Tynecastle side were out of Europe by August after losing on aggregate to PAOK in the Conference League probably had something to do with it. With European football guaranteed until Christmas, in monetary terms, the prize for finishing immediately behind the Old Firm was north of £5million. And yet, for the third successive season, the manager who finished third would not see out the following term. With just one draw and eight losses in all competitions at the start of last season, Naismith didn't even make it to the end of September. Neil Critchley replaced him and recorded only one win from five games immediately after European matches as the team laboured and finished in the bottom six. The Englishman was also soon on his way. This weekend, his successor Derek McInnes takes Hearts to face Stirling Albion and, in midweek their League Cup group stage campaign concludes with a home game against Dumbarton. It feels an awful long way from the bright lights of European football to which the Tynecastle men are accustomed. But, having seen too many Scottish sides startled by them in recent times, in one sense, that may prove to be no bad thing.
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Hibs and Dundee United boss Jack Ross lands stunning new job with English Premier League giants
JACKPOT Ex-Hibs and Dundee United boss Jack Ross lands stunning new job with English Premier League giants Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S almost three years since Jack Ross was dismissed as Dundee United boss after a horror start to the season. Now, he's landed a plum new job with one of English football's top clubs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jack Ross' spell as Dundee United boss was a nightmare Credit: Willie Vass 2 He's been working at Newcastle United for more than two years Credit: Getty Ross, 49, enjoyed a successful playing career for the likes of Clyde, Falkirk and St Mirren before moving into coaching. After getting his first managerial role at Alloa, he took the reins at St Mirren in 2016 and led the Buddies to promotion to the Premiership in 2018. Ross' impressive job in Paisley saw him linked with some huge jobs and he landed the gig at Sunderland in May 2018. Only a cruel last gasp play-off final defeat at Wembley against Charlton denied Ross promotion to the Championship with the Black Cats. He was sacked in October, just five months after the crushing play-off defeat, and quickly returned to Scottish football wtih Hibs. Ross impressed as Hibs boss and led the club to third in the 2020/21 season, also reaching the Scottish Cup Final. He agreed a new contract in July 2021 but was dismissed five months later just days before the League Cup Final. Ross had six months out of the game before being appointed Dundee United manager in June 2022. But it would prove a disastrous spell at Tannadice, with United mauled 7-1 on aggregate by AZ Alkmaar in Europa League Conference qualifying. A humiliating 9-0 home defeat to Celtic left the Terrors bottom of the Premiership table and Ross was dismissed at the end of August - just seven games into his spell as boss. 'Freakish athlete' Anthony Elanga shows off insane 100m time ahead of Newcastle transfer That, to date, is his last job in management. Since March 2023, he's been working at Newcastle United - of course, the huge rivals of one of his former clubs, Sunderland. Ross took up a role in the Magpies' academy as Head of Coach Development before moving into the position of Head of Strategic Technical Football Partnerships. Now, he's received a major promotion. The Toon, who'll be back in the Champions League this coming season, have appointed Ross as Head of Football Strategy. The lofty role will see Ross report directly into the club's incoming Sporting Director. The wide-ranging position gives the Scot responsibility across a number of areas, and will see him involved in the men's, women's and academy areas. On his new job, Ross said: "I am delighted to move to the role of Head of Football Strategy. "This is an exciting opportunity to help the club build on the outstanding progress and successes it has achieved on and off the pitch in recent seasons. "We have incredibly high calibre staff here across multiple pillars of the club, and I am looking forward to supporting them in this new position." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ross appointed Newcastle head of football strategy
Former Dundee United, Hibernian, St Mirren and Sunderland team boss Jack Ross has been appointed as Newcastle United's head of football Premier League club say the 49-year-old Scot will be "reporting into a new sporting director".Jack joined Newcastle in 2023 as their academy's head of coach development before becoming head of strategic technical football provided "mentorship and strategic support to key staff", he will now oversee "the club's player loan and emerging talent strategy", and "build strategic relationships with other clubs" in the UK and overseas. Jack told Newcastle's website: "This is an exciting opportunity to help the club build on the outstanding progress and successes it has achieved on and off the pitch in recent seasons."Newcastle say he will "help to develop a consistent sporting philosophy across the club" and support "communication, collaboration and the implementation of best practice across men's, women's and academy football", all aimed at "enabling talent depth and retention".Jack, a full-back with Clyde, Hartlepool United, Falkirk, St Mirren, Hamilton Academical and Dunfermline Athletic, first went into management with Alloa Athletic in last such role ended in August 2022, when he was sacked as Dundee United head coach after only seven games in charge.
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hibs boss lands key Newcastle United role amid 'outstanding progress'
The former Hibs and Sunderland man has been put in charge of building key factors at Newcastle United. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former Hibs and Sunderland boss has been handed new tasks at Newcastle United after taking on a new role with the Premier League side. Since leaving a spell in the dugout at Dundee United, Jack Ross has worked behind the scenes at Newcastle United in a fruitful period which has include a Carabao Cup success plus Champions League football. It has now been confirmed he has been promoted to head of football strategy and will report into the club's new sporting director. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After retiring, Ross managed Alloa Athletic, St Mirren and then Newcastle United's fierce rivals Sunderland before a spell at Hibs. He guided the club to a third place finish in the 20/21 season and was sacked before getting the chance to lead Hibs out into a Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic. Jack Ross' key roles at Newcastle United He said of his promotion at Newcastle: 'I am delighted to move to the role of Head of Football Strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to help the club build on the outstanding progress and successes it has achieved on and off the pitch in recent seasons. "We have incredibly high calibre staff here across multiple pillars of the club, and I am looking forward to supporting them in this new position." A club statement reads: 'Newcastle United have appointed Jack Ross as the club's Head of Football Strategy. Reporting into a new Sporting Director, Jack will take on an important leadership role that will help to develop a consistent sporting philosophy across the club. He will work within the Football Directorate alongside senior leadership across all sites, supporting communication, collaboration and the implementation of best practice across men's, women's and Academy football. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jack Ross Hibs sacking admission 'Having previously overseen almost 300 professional matches as a manager, Jack initially joined Newcastle United's Academy's as Head of Coach Development in March 2023 before moving to the position of Head of Strategic Technical Football Partnerships. He has continued to provide mentorship and strategic support to key staff. 'In addition to overseeing the club's player loan and emerging talent strategy, Jack will also lead on building strategic relationships with other clubs, introducing new football development and talent pathway opportunities in the UK and overseas. The establishment of this model is aimed at enabling talent depth and retention, as well as supporting the development of Newcastle United's global brand and IP.' Current Hibs chairman and then executive director Ian Gordon admits sacking Ross was an error the club learned from. He said in 2024: 'I think as my dad said, that was a mistake and I view it the same way. I think at that time it was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction and lessons have been learned from then and along the way since then. "It is hard to build something when you're constantly changing. That has been a massive problem for us. I think it's easy to look back and wish we did things differently. I know it's tough for fans to realise that, but there have been massive lessons learned throughout that time. I think we could always wise up a bit earlier. I'm not hiding from the fact we haven't got it correct along the way but we do feel through the ups and downs over the last few years that we're in a good position now with the structure in place."
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ross becomes head of football strategy
Newcastle have confirmed the appointment of Jack Ross as the club's head of football originally joined the club as the academy's head of coach development in 2023 before moving to the position of head of strategic technical football partnerships."This is an exciting opportunity to help the club build on the outstanding progress and successes it has achieved on and off the pitch in recent seasons." Ross said in a statement.
