Lee Johnson is in advanced talks over becoming the new Hibs manager as the club look to finalise a deal.
The former Sunderland boss, who ran out for Hearts during his playing career, has been identified as the top target.
Reports earlier on Thursday suggested that Jon Dahl Tomasson had entered the running while Michael Appleton and Karl Robinson were considered.
But Record Sport previously reported Johnson was the favourite and we now understand he is close to being appointed.
He would also want to bring in long-term No. 2 Jamie McAllister as part of his coaching team.
Johnson met and impressed owner Ron Gordon and other members of the Hibs board earlier this week.
Chief executive Ben Kensell and head of recruitment Ian Gordon met with several top-level management candidates in England before they whistled down their shortlist.
Michael Appleton was another name who made the final list but Johnson is the preferred choice to succeed Shaun Maloney.
Johnson has a solid managerial record in his spells with Oldham Athletic, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland.
He led Sunderland to the English Football League trophy last season but left in January with the team still in the mix for promotion to the Championship.
Hibs caretaker David Gray will remain part of any new manager’s backroom team.
He will take charge of Hibs’ last game of the season at St Johnstone on Sunday.
Hibs sit a disappointing ninth and will look to bow out with a win.
Gray doesn’t believe the manager’s situation has had too much of an impact on his squad.
He said: "The players got clarity straight away. We've had two different managers this season already.
"There's a responsibility there from everyone, but the manager always carries the responsibility so when things don't go well it's usually them that lose their jobs.
"As a staff, as players, everyone needs to look at themselves and ask themselves, can they do more, are they doing enough, how can they be better.
"It's not about clarity, that was there straight away when the board made the decision to make a change.
"They then made it very clear that it was myself and Eddie until the end of the season so the clarity was there straight away, it was never going to change.
"You're always being judged as football players regardless of who the manager is, regardless of what's at stake in terms of where you find yourself in the league and what you've got to play for.
"It's times like this and moments like these in the season when you really find out about people.”
