Johnson said to want Hibs manager job

FORMER Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is reported to be keen on the vacant Hibernian job as he looks to get back into the managerial hot seat.

The Scotsman reports that exBlack Cats boss Johnson has thrown his hat into the ring for the next Hibs manager following the sacking of Shaun Maloney in April.

He is no stranger to Scottish football, either, having turned out for Hearts and Kilmarnock. Given that he only made four appearances for the Jam Tarts, Hibs’ biggest rivals, it is not expected intracity rivalries will matter too much, with the board said to be considering Johnson’s name amongst a host of candidates.

Appointed in December 2020 by Sunderland, Johnson last season guided the Black Cats to the play-offs, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Lincoln City.

His tenure also saw him help the Black Cats taste success at Wembley in March of last year when his Sunderland side beat Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy final 1-0.

However, Johnson was sacked earlier this year following a 6-0 away drubbing to Bolton Wanderers, with Sunderland sitting in third place in League One.