Hibernian face competition from Salford City if they decide to push the button on Michael Appleton and approach him to make him their next manager.
The former Lincoln City boss has already sat down with Easter Road chief executive Ben Kensell and head of recruitment Ian Gordon.
Ambitious Salford also have Appleton on their radar as they consider their plans for the new season – although Gary Bowyer still remains in place.
Appleton is a former teammate of Salford owners Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
They are aware of the jobs he has done in England’s lower leagues.
The Class of 92 stars are looking at their options to see who is the best man to finally get Salford out of League Two.
Appleton is one of more than a dozen people Kensell and Gordon have spoken to on their recent visits to England.
The 46-year-old is under consideration as the Hibs board look to push ahead with their final shortlist which will then be put to the club’s other directors and owner Ron Gordon.
It is expected that the long list will be whittled down to three or four candidates.
The likes of Dutchman Philip Cocu and Everton assistant Paul Clement and ex-Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson are some of the candidates Hibs have spoken to.
The Easter Road club have been on the lookout for a manager since Shaun Maloney left last month.
Appleton previously held talks with Hibs back in 2019 but walked away because he didn’t feel it was right and the job went to Jack Ross.
The former Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford United boss left Lincoln after three successful years there at the end of the season.
