10 Hibs next manager candidates as Lennon and Wilder the heavyweights but Cifuentes offers wildcard after near miss
Lee Johnson is gone after an abject start to the season who will the Easter Road hierarchy turn to now?
In a move that will have shocked no-one, Lee Johnson is the 2023/24 sack race winner after Hibs axed their under fire former boss.
A trio of league defeats from three left the Hibees rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table after Saturday's home reverse against Livingston. As chants of "Johnson, Johnson get to f***"" rang around Easter Road, it was a case of when rather than if the former Bristol City man would get his jotters. An incredibly awkward exit from a post-match Sky interview suggested Johnson knew it was time up as well, despite pleas for more time to the written press.
Assistants Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen depart with Johnson. Club legend and first team coach David Gray will take temporary charge along with Stuart Garden. First up is the small matter of a trip to Villa Park to face Aston Villa with Hibs already 5-0 down from the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff tie.
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While they try and get things going in the right director on the pitch. CEO Ben Kensell and director of football Brian McDermott are tasked with finding a permanent boss. This will be the Leith outfit's sixth in four years, and fifth since the Gordon family took control of the club in July 2019.
The more obvious names have already come up amongst fans. But there will some less familiar names that come up too. Record Sport takes a look at the runners and riders.
David Gray
He'll be the man in temporary charge again. It's the third time the Scottish Cup winning hero has been placed in interim charge and the question will be asked as to whether he deserves a shot for the longer term. Just as valid though, will be those pointing out he's now been part of three coaching regimes that have been told thanks but no thanks. His stature at the club will mean he's always in with a shout, but would likely take a stellar stint to make him impossible to ignore.
(Image: SNS Group)1 of 10Neil Lennon
It ended in tears the last time, but there's no doubt Lennon was a successful Hibs boss for the most part after he took over from Alan Stubbs in 2016. Promotion from the Championship was the bare minimum after two years in the second tier, but qualification for Europe during a first season back then narrowly missing out on a runners up spot represented a strong return to the top flight. Lennon loves a redemption arc, although whether he'd be happy to slot into the current Easter Road structure is a burning question.
(Image: SNS Group)2 of 10Derek McInnes
He's the name on the fans' lips just now after a strong start to the season with Kilmarnock. has come up before when the hibs gig was available and there were grumbles about playing style, but results usually quieten those down. Has recently signed a new deal at Kilmarnock so would require compensation. Whether he sees himself working within the set up Hibs have also needs to be clarified.
(Image: SNS Group)3 of 10Chris Wilder
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The former Sheffield United boss was linked with both Aberdeen and Hearts and seemed to be initially keen on both. He pulled out of the Dons running and then Hearts followed their lead by appointing their caretaker. Kensell seems to favour experience of English football so ticks that box and Mcdermott will no doubt be well aware of Wilder's approach and character.
(Image: Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)4 of 10
