Hibernian hope to start interviews for manager vacancy next week

Hibs are hoping to begin interviews for their managerial vacancy next week as they look to appoint a successor to Lee Johnson.

The Easter Road club sacked Johnson last Sunday after losing their first three Premiership matches, with club legend David Gray acting as interim manager for the Europa Conference League match at Aston Villa on Thursday.

Gray is to remain in the dugout this weekend, when Hibs travel to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie, but work is ongoing to identify the man to take the club forward.

Central Coast Mariners boss Nick Montgomery has been touted as a likely candidate, and Stephen Robinson’s work at St Mirren has seen him linked with the job, though Australia boss Graham Arnold is not in the running.

STV understands Hibs haven’t made an approach to any manager yet and will take the weekend to finalise a shortlist of candidates before beginning an interview process next week.

After taking on Aberdeen on Sunday, the international break means that Hibernian aren’t back in action until September 16, when they play Kilmarnock.

Meanwhile, Lee Johnson has wished the club all the best after his departure, saying that he bvelieves the team will improve and start to deliver results.

In a statement released through the League Managers Association, he said: “I would like to thank the Gordon family for giving me the opportunity to manage this historic club, with a special mention to the late Ron Gordon, who was a great loss to us all,” he said in a statement released through the League Managers Association on Friday.

“I have loved every minute of my time in Edinburgh and in the Scottish Premiership, which is an intense and challenging league but extremely fulfilling for a manager to be involved in.

“I would also like to thank the staff, who I worked closely with throughout my time at Hibs, who are passionate about the club and are always supportive of the players and backroom staff.

“Last season was a transitional season for Hibs, but I was so proud of the successes we enjoyed together as a group. Beating Hearts and Celtic at Easter Road, after a number of times of asking, were wonderful moments. Experiencing the fans’ rendition of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ after those big results was fantastic!

“To improve on the 2021-22 league position, finish the season in fifth place and secure the opportunity to play in Europe was crucial.

“The whole squad really embraced our ethos and the hard work in training was undoubtedly showing on the pitch, especially the performances and form post SPFL split and across both fixtures against Luzern, which was possibly the best result in Europe in over 20 years, setting up a lucrative tie against Aston Villa.

“The first three games of the domestic season didn’t go as planned. It was very disappointing given the work the players, coaching staff and I had put in to prepare the squad for an intense start to the season.

“However, there have been such small margins that have cost us and the congested fixture list left our performances a bit flat at times. I believe it is only a matter of time before this team moves up the league and starts competing for European places. I have a lot of belief in this squad.”