Hibs and Celtic legend named immediate FAVOURITE to replace Lee Johnson at Easter Road
SCOTT BROWN has immediately been installed as favourite to succeed Lee Johnson at old club Hibs.
The former Celtic captain is currently boss of League One Fleetwood Town.
He was linked with a return to Scotland as boss or assistant with Celtic this summer as the club replaced Ange Postecoglou with Brendan Rodgers.
And while linked with a coaching return he was also quoted for a sensational dugout return as boss while the Hoops were in limbo.
Former midfielder Brown is now FAVOURITE to be back at another of his old clubs - who sacked Johnson this afternoon after a dismal start to the season.
He had pleaded for more time after a third consecutive defeat in the cinch Premiership left the Easter Road side rock bottom of the SPFL top flight table.
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But a board meeting called at short notice by the Edinburgh club's chiefs pulled the trigger on the Englishman and cut short his contract which still had three years to run.
Assistants Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen were also axed and club legend David Gray placed in temporary charge.
His first match will be at Villa Park in the Europa Conference League second leg qualifier but bookies reckon he'll be repclaced quickly by Brown.
The Scot doesn't have his own problems to seek either as Fleetwood sit second bottom of League One and like Hibs haven't won this season.
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However he, like close pal Kevin Thomson, will be among the names considered as the early contenders for the Easter Road hotseat.
Hibs travel to Birmingham and then face two tricky away ties in the league before their Viaplay Cup quarter-final with St Mirren at the end of next month.
Chief Executive Ben Kensell admitted: “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 was quizzed on his future after the 3-2 defeat to Livingston and stormed out of a post-match interview with Sky after being asked if he was confident of remaining in charge for the next week.
Hibs are now seeking a fourth manager in 20 months with the new man to follow Johnson, Shaun Maloney and Jack Ross who have all left the club in the past two years.
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