Jack Ross is keen to replace axed Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass, who could have lost his job earlier if not for an intervention by his players.
Pittodrie chairman Dave Cormack is on the hunt for a new boss after calling time on the summer appointment, who has overseen just 14 wins in 41 games across all competitions.
Glass had his contracted terminated along with his assistants, Allan Russell and Henry Apaloo, following their Scottish Cup exit at Motherwell.
Skipper Scott Brown was part of the coaching set-up but will continue as a player, although he will be part of the coaching team alongside Barry Robson and Neil Simpson for Tuesday’s Premiership clash with St Johnstone.
The Pittodrie board held a virtual meeting to discuss their early managerial options on Sunday and Hibs boss Ross’s name has already been put to them and is under consideration.
Ex-Sunderland and St Mirren chief Ross was bulleted by Hibs in December but is keen to get back with their Premiership rivals and current Saints boss Jim Goodwin is another candidate who is keen on the vacant Pittodrie post.
The Dons board are also waiting to see what comes in over the next day or so.
Ross has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite although the likes of Bradford boss Derek Adams, Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley and ex-Celtic chief Neil Lennon are all on relatively short odds.
Aberdeen want a candidate who will continue with their ethos of developing young talent.
The Dons are keen to make a quick appointment but Cormack knows he has to get this one right.
The chairman informed Glass of his removal on Sunday and an emotional Glass spoke to his players and staff to tell them of his departure.
Cormack and director of football Steven Gunn held a meeting, where they were told that results and performances haven’t been good enough and there must be an immediate improvement.
They won just 14 games out of 41 under Glass. He made a positive start to the season in Europe but crashed out of the Betfred Cup to Raith Rovers and after that the campaign has been something of an anti-climax.
Glass’ position has been under scrutiny for some time.
The board were going to pull the trigger earlier in the season had it not been for the intervention of Aberdeen’s players.
They went to Cormack and stated they were to blame for their stuttering season, and intervention which bought Glass more time in the job.
The Pittodrie hierarchy wanted to give Glass the chance of advancing in the Scottish Cup but that came to a messy end at Motherwell, with the club also sitting a disappointing ninth in the Premiership.
Some of the players clashed with fans as they had to make their way through the stand to the away dressing room, with the manager paying the price after less than a year in charge.
He was appointed as Derek McInnes’ successor last year but his appointment was controversial.
Glass is an ex-Aberdeen player but many in the Red Army felt he wasn’t experienced enough, with his time at Atlanta United spent largely with the MLS outfit's B team.
Cormack knew the former full-back personally thanks to his US connection, and at his appointment stated he was the outstanding candidate and had gone through a full interview process.
The Aberdeen board backed Glass heavily and allowed him to bring in Christian Ramirez, Brown, Declan Gallagher, David Bates, Jack Gurr,Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Teddy Jenks.
Glass was already over budget when the Dons sanctioned the additional signings of Marley Watkins, Matty Longstaff and Austin Samuels.
He and the club were able to do more work in January, bringing Vicente Besuijen from ADO Den Haag, American college standout Dante Polvara and Adam Montgomery on loan from Celtic on deadline day.
