Lee Johnson has been appointed the new manager of Hibernian on a four-year deal.
The former Bristol City manager has been without work since he was sacked as Sunderland manager in January following a 6-0 home defeat to Bolton with the club third in League One.
Hibernian were on the lookout for a new manager since Shaun Maloney's sacking last month after just 120 days in charge having finished the season in eighth.
The Scotsman revealed he held talks with the club last week. Owner Ron Gordon flew from the US to hold interviews with potential candidates that also reportedly included former Oxford United manager Michael Appleton.
Speaking on his appointment, Gordon described the qualities Johnson possesses and why he selected him over a number of other "high-quality" managers. Revealed on Hibernian's official site, he said: "We know that this appointment is vital for the Football Club, so we really took our time to make sure we got the right person as our new Manager.
“Throughout this process we have been very clear on the type of profile, the style of football, and the experience we want our new Manager to have, and that aligned approach enabled us to be incredibly thorough and vigorous during our search.
“There were a number of high-quality managers interested in the role, and we analysed them all thoroughly. The candidates were interviewed in depth by a panel of Directors before we unanimously came to the decision that Lee was the outstanding candidate and the perfect fit for us.
"Not only does Lee have great experience in management, but he also has knowledge of the Scottish and English game, will bring a definitive style of positive play to Hibs and has a proven record of success.
“We wanted a manager that would lead on recruitment and have a strong pool of knowledge in that area. He shares similar levels of ambitions for the Football Club and will instil a winning culture at Hibernian FC.
“We will support him in the transfer window, so he can put his own stamp on the squad as we look forward to, what will hopefully be a really successful 2022/23 campaign.
“We are all looking forward to working with him, and his staff, to bring sustained success to our fantastic football club.”
The club are just tying the final details together over Johnson's desired backroom staff including his trustee No2 and former team-mate Jamie McAllister of whom he had during his time at the Robins.
Hibernian wanted to appoint a manager with knowledge and experience of English football, a box that Johnson ticks following his time with Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland.
Johnson has been eager to return to work since leaving the Black Cats. A major factor behind his dismissal with the refusal to sign club favourite Jermain Defoe over his fitness concerns despite the board's desire to bring the veteran striker back. Defoe would retire from the game two months later.
Johnson's first experience in Scotland started as a player for Hearts, Hibs' fierce rivals. He made just five appearances before rejoining father Gary at Bristol City. He would return up north at the end of his career with Kilmarnock before hanging up his boots.
He'll be tasked with getting Hibernian further up the table and pushing for a European spot as well as providing long-term stability on the pitch and in the dugout with Hibernian appointing two managers last season.
The Scotsman adds how he was seen as a less risky appointment ahead of another fellow candidate and former Malmo manager Jon Dahl Tomasson who has yet to experience British football as a coach. Johnson is also expected to have money to spend this summer and is planning a busy transfer market.
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.
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