Hibs have sacked Lee Johnson after a dire start to the Scottish Premiership season.

The Easter Road club sit bottom of the league after three straight losses.

Johnson was relieved of his duties by Hibs chiefs with Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen also departing the club.

Hibs lost 3-2 to St Mirren on the opening day, before a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell and 3-2 loss at home to Livingston on Saturday.

Hibs had progressed into the play-off round of the Europa Conference League after beating Inter d'Escaldes and Luzern.

However, they suffered a 5-0 loss at home to Aston Villa in the first leg. Now, David Gray will take over as caretaker boss for the trip to Villa Park in midweek.

A statement on the club website confirmed: "Hibernian FC can confirm that that Lee Johnson has departed the Club as First Team Manager.

"Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen have also left with immediate effect."

The statement added: "David Gray will take charge of the First Team as Caretaker Manager for the immediate future, and be supported by Stuart Garden.

"No further comment will be made at this time."

READ MORE: Pressure piling on Lee Johnson as Livingston take three points

Chief executive Ben Kensell commented: “The Club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.

“We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”

Johnson had pleaded with the Hibs board to stick with him after the defeat to Livingston on Saturday before his exit.

He said: “I genuinely do apologise because I didn’t want to start like this.

“I was full of beans – I still am – going into the season and this has caught us out a little bit.

“I hope they (the board) stick with me, I really do, because I want to be here. I’d never throw the towel in.

“And I understand there will be fans calling for my head. But I genuinely believe that we’ll do it. I think we’ve got a good squad, I think we’ve had a few issues – and we’ve got to tidy up our defensive stuff.

“It’s unacceptable, I understand that. I’m okay to take responsibility for that knowing I still have belief in the squad.

“I think the squad still believe in us and what we’re doing and are as frustrated as anybody.

“I can understand the scrutiny. I have been here before. It’s not nice. There’s a human there as well and sometimes people forget that.

“We work extremely hard and I just want the positivity in the football club. That focus is on me and I’d rather it was on me than the players.

“It’s small margins and I honestly believe if we see out 10 minutes at 1-1 our momentum takes the game back.

“I’m disappointed because I love it here and I believe in us. But at the same time I’ve experienced this before in my career.”