Names in the frame for the Easter Road hotseat

STEVE CLARKE

The 55-year-old is hot property after turning Kilmarnock into title challengers. Clarke has a top-notch pedigree having worked as an assistant at Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle as well as bossing West Brom and Reading. But his work at Killie since taking the job in October 2017 makes him the obvious frontrunner. Hibs would need to pay to prise him away from Rugby Park, though, and he may be happy to bide his time and hope to land an even bigger job. The 48-year-old managed in Australia’s A-League before joining Scotland youth set up in 2014. Has worked his way up and was appointed Under-21 head coach in 2016. Is highly rated and his experience of helping to develop youngsters will appeal to Hibs. Would be big step up but ex-Nottingham Forrest star knows how to handle a dressing room. Endured torrid time at Leeds but the former Barnsley boss proved his coaching credentials at Oakwell. The 41-year-old is still highly rated and may fancy the chance to test himself in

Scotland.

SCOTT GEMMILL PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM ALAN STUBBS

The Scouser will always be a hero at Hibs thanks to historic Scottish Cup win in 2016. Left for Rotherham shortly afterwards but lasted just five months. Took the reins at St Mirren last summer only to be ditched by the Buddies after 90 days. His attacking focus was well received at Hibs but his failure to get the players onside in Paisley will raise eyebrows. Was heralded as next big thing of English coaching at Birmingham but the 44-year-old then blotted his copybook. Was doing nicely after moving to Derby but switched to Stoke where his time in charge was a disaster and had his contract terminated earlier this month. Might be open to fresh challenge in Leith. Would be left-field move but sometimes the best appointments are. Has demonstrated he can create a team which plays attacking football but his inability to adapt eventually cost him at Rangers. His spell at Forest proved unsuccessful but the Englishman’s ideals and Hibs’ ethos aren’t miles apart. Everyone is looking to find a boss like Clarke and Carlo Ancelotti’s trusted lieutenant fits the bill. The ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid No.2 has struggled being the main man at Derby, Swansea and Reading but his coaching credentials are second to none and he boasts one of the deepest contact books in the game. Livingston boss has done well since taking over from Kenny Miller in August and would find it tough to say no if offered the job. But he has a good thing going at the Tony Macaroni Arena so there’s no guarantees he would leave West Lothian.

GARY ROWETT MARK WARBURTON PAUL CLEMENT GARY HOLT Graeme Young