Graham Arnold rejects Hibs job offer as Australia boss reveals why he turned down ‘honour’ of managing club
AUSTRALIA manager Graham Arnold has confirmed that he was sounded out over the vacant gaffer role at Easter Road.
Hibs are currently searching for their next manager after sacking Lee Johnson last week.
The Leith club have yet to pick up any points since the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign, having already lost to St Mirren, Motherwell and Livingston in the opening three fixtures.
The Englishman led them to stunning Europa Conference League qualifying win against Luzern over two legs but questions were already asked of his coaching following their humiliating first leg defeat to Andorran minnows Inter Club d'Escaldes.
The 3-2 defeat to David Martindale's Livi was then the last straw for the Hibs chiefs after Unai Emery's Aston Villa thrashed them 5-0 at Easter Road last week.
The Capital side are now narrowing down their list of managerial targets and SunSport understands former boss and Celtic hero Neil Lennon is their No1 choice.
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The Northern Irishman is currently weighing up an approach and is being considered among several names including Central Coast Mariners gaffer Nick Montgomery, Kilmarnock's Derek McInnes and Saints' Stephen Robinson.
But it was claimed that Socceroos manager Arnold was also in the running for the position.
However, a move for the World Cup boss looked unlikely given his love for managing his national team.
Arnold has now revealed though that he was asked if he was interested in having discussions over the job, which he was considered for back in 2019 when Lennon left after his first spell.
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The 60-year-old has confirmed though that he will not be taking over as the new Hibs boss.
He insists it was an honour being sounded out by the Easter Road chiefs but says the timing isn't right and he is fully focused on the job at hand with Australia.
Speaking to Keep Up, he said: “I have to say it was an honour that Hibs rang me and offered me the job but I’ve got a job to do here. I will say that I love coaching my nation and I feel that I have a great job.
"For me, it’s all about Mexico and getting ourselves ready for that, and developing and helping the boys here in Australia. I spoke to (Hibs’) owner (but) at this moment, the timing’s not right
" I have a job on my hands here and my full focus is on the Socceroos.”
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