Roy Keane facing stronger field of candidates for Hibs job than Shaun Maloney did as reps set to hold further talks
HIBS are set to hold more talks with Roy Keane’s agents on him taking the Easter Road hot seat.
The Manchester United legend has made it known he’d like to succeed Shaun Maloney as Hibees boss.
Keane, 50, has been installed as favourite to become the club’s next permanent manager this summer.
And the Hibs hierarchy will speak to his team again in the coming days as part of a long recruitment process.
However Keane faces stiff competition as he looks to get back into the dugout more than 11 years since his last manager’s job at Ipswich Town. The fact Maloney was only given four months before being axed does not appear to have put anyone off from wanting the post.
SunSport understands the quality of applicants for the post this time around is stronger than when former Celtic star Maloney was appointed last December.
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And with David Gray in interim charge until the end of the season, the club are in no rush to make an appointment as they seek to find the right man for the job.
Instead, chief executive Ben Kensell and head of recruitment Ian Gordon have travelled to London for informal talks with a number of potential candidates.
Those discussions were held to gauge interest from both sides, after which a list of names will be drawn up for consideration.
And only then will the formal interview process of finding a new gaffer begin as former Sunderland boss Keane and others press their claim to land the job.
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The Irishman has been assistant to Martin O’Neill with the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest, the latter being his most recent coaching job.
Keane also had a brief spell as Paul Lambert’s No2 at Aston Villa.
SunSport understands Keane is ready to ditch his punditry duties with Sky Sports in order to have another crack at the management game.
Keane is of course no stranger to Scottish football having spent six months at Celtic at the end of his career.
Hibs owner Ron Gordon has been open about the direction he wants to take with his club's managerial search, suggesting he would prefer an experienced candidate this time round after the disappointment of Maloney's brief reign.
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