page_title: History of Hibernian F.C.
section_title: 2004–2007: Success under Mowbray and Collins
hierarchical_section_title: History of Hibernian F.C. / Recent history (1998–present) / 2004–2007: Success under Mowbray and Collins
caption_attribution_description: Photo taken at press launch at Hibs Easter Road by Henry Wood
context_page_description: Hibernian, one of the most prominent clubs in Scottish football, was founded in 1875. The club was named in honour of the Roman name for Ireland and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The club has competed in the top division of Scottish football in all but four seasons since they first gained entry to the top division in 1895. Hibernian have been Scottish champions four times, most recently in 1952. The club has also been champions of the second tier six times, most recently in 2017. Hibernian have won the Scottish Cup three times, the last time in 2016. This win ended a drought of 114 years and ten cup finals lost since 1902. The club has won the League Cup three times, most recently when they defeated Kilmarnock 5–1 in 2007.
context_section_description: Tony Mowbray was appointed Hibs manager on 24 May 2004, replacing Bobby Williamson. Mowbray's appointment came as a surprise, because the media had speculated that other candidates, including John Gorman, David Hay and Tommy Burns were going to be appointed.
  Mowbray quickly established that he wanted Hibs to play attacking, passing football, despite inheriting a team with a low average age which was under pressure to deliver results after disappointing seasons under Bobby Williamson. Mowbray's policies were rewarded with a 3rd-place finish in his first season as manager and a place in the UEFA Cup for the following season. Mowbray won the manager of the year award from the Scottish Football Writers' Association in his rookie season, while striker Derek Riordan won the young player of the year award from his fellow professionals. Hibs reached the semi-final stage of the Scottish Cup, where they lost 1–2 to Dundee United despite taking the lead early in the second half.
  In the 2005–06 season, Hibs got off to an excellent start, winning 10 of their first 14 league games. This form led to speculation by some commentators that they could put in a challenge for the championship, but Mowbray played down the club's chances, pointing to the inconsistency of the side and the much higher budgets of Rangers, Celtic and Hearts. Highlights of the season included three consecutive victories over Rangers (including two 3–0 wins at Ibrox Stadium), and a 2–0 victory over Hearts that ended their unbeaten start to the league.
  Hibs were beaten 5–1 on aggregate by Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the first round of the UEFA Cup and they also lost heavily, 3–0, to Dunfermline in the CIS Cup. Injuries, suspensions, and the sale of Garry O'Connor to Lokomotiv Moscow exposed a lack of depth in the squad. After a largely disappointing second half of the season, Hibs finished 4th in the SPL and qualified for the Intertoto Cup. They showed promising signs in the Scottish Cup, beating Arbroath 6–0, Rangers 3–0 and Falkirk 5–1, but were well beaten 0–4 by Hearts in the semi-final at Hampden Park.
  Mowbray left Hibs in October 2006 to manage West Bromwich Albion, with whom he gained promotion to the English Premier League by winning the Championship in the 2007–08 season. Following media speculation that Falkirk manager John Hughes, Cowdenbeath manager Mixu Paatelainen and Nottingham Forest coach Ian McParland would be appointed, it was announced on 31 October 2006 that John Collins would be the new manager of Hibs, with Tommy Craig as assistant manager. Collins resigned on 20 December 2007, having won the Scottish League Cup during his sole year in charge.
  Collins' tenure saw the club sell more of their star players, including Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown, Ivan Sproule and Steven Whittaker, mostly to the Old Firm. The benefit of these sales is that the club's financial position has been improved significantly and the club has also been able to invest in a training ground. Hibs have kept a tight control of player wages, however, and Collins blamed frustration over the lack of funds available to replace the players who were sold as his reason for resigning.
  Mixu Paatelainen was appointed as manager on 10 January 2008. Improved results in the first few months under Paatelainen's management ensured that Hibs finished in the top half of the SPL table for a fourth successive season. Hibs earned a place in the last Intertoto Cup competition, but they were comfortably beaten by Swedish side IF Elfsborg. Paatelainen resigned at the end of the season, saying that "there comes a time when a change of direction is best for both parties."
caption: John Collins is introduced as  the new Hibs manager by Hibs chairman Rod Petrie at a news conference on 31 October 2006
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