Lee Johnson is under consideration by Hibernian to take the vacant managerial role after applying for the job. According to the Scotsman, Johnson is eager for a return to Scotland where he spent time as a player for Hibs' rivals Hearts and Kilmarnock towards the end of his career.
Hibernian have been on the lookout for a new manager since Shaun Maloney's sacking last month after just 120 days in charge. They have endured an underwhelming campaign, as they look to end the season in seventh with one game remaining.
Johnson, 40, has been without work since he was sacked as Sunderland manager in the wake of their 6-0 home drubbing to Bolton, albeit with the Black Cats third in League One and a major motivating factor to the decision being his refusal to sign Jermain Defoe over fitness concerns, which was at odds with the board's vision of bringing back a former hero. Less than two months later Defoe had retired.
He is believed to be eager to return to management having been linked with the likes of Barnsley and Peterborough.
The report adds how owner Rob Gordon has flown from the US to Scotland to hold interviews for the role with Johnson vying with former Oxford and Lincoln manager Michael Appleton for the position. The club want someone with extensive knowledge and experience of English football, a box that Johnson ticks following his time with Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland.
Roy Keane, Tony Mowbray and Karl Robinson have also been linked although Blackburn Rovers boss Mowbray ruled himself out of contention by admitting he would rather stay in the Championship.
Johnson's reputation as a manager grew with Oldham, guiding them to safety before spending just under two years with Barnsley winning 20 of his 51 games in charge.
Johnson spent 217 games in the dugout at City, earning a 38.7 win percentage, and helped guide the Robins up to eighth including an EFL Cup semi-final. He was sacked in July 2020 and spent six months out of the game before moving to Sunderland.
Johnson is expected to be handed a healthy transfer kitty if he is appointed and will be expected to finish in the top six as a minimum.
According to the bookies, he still has a chance of taking the role at Barnsley with the recently relegated side plotting their next move after Poya Asbaghi's departure.
Assistant Martin Devaney is the favourite, ahead of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mick McCarthy. Johnson is currently fourth favourite alongside Genoa manager Alexander Blessin and former Bayer Leverkusen man Hannes Wolf.
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