With Neil Lennon’s future apparently hanging in the balance following his unexpected suspension by the club who could Hibs entice to follow in his footsteps.
Since her arrival Leeann Dempster has surprised with her ruthlessness when handling the most important man at the club.
Terry Butcher was sacked without hesitation immediately upon her arrival and now Lennon has been ostracized despite being Dempster’s only consideration when replacing her original favourite, Alan Stubbs.
The obvious names will be floated in the press. I’d doubt it will be an obvious choice.
Stubbs is out of work, could the Easter Road CEO turn to her trusted lieutenant in her hour of need in the hope he can reproduce his work previously? It’s unlikely. For all his heroic efforts in securing the Scottish Cup victory craved by all supporters the Liverpudlian had backroom support from Andy Holden and John Doolan with their effect obvious given Stubbsy’s troubles at Rotherham and St Mirren.
Would the trio return to provide a dream team scenario? Possibly but doubtful.
Mainstream media will likely churn out candidates such as Tommy Wright, Gordon Strachan or perhaps even Darren Ferguson.
Dempster has a penchant for the unknown or unlikely. She managed to secure Stuart McCall’s services for Motherwell on a shoestring budget. Stubbs appointment was left field. Capturing a high profile figure such as Lennon for a second tier Scottish side was not only ambitious but a coup.
Appointing managers who’ve been successful at other Scottish clubs generally hasn’t worked too well for Hibernian in the past. Bobby Williamson, Terry Butcher and John Hughes are testament to this theory.
Fans are fickle and they’d happily welcome another unexpected appointment. Hibs certainly won’t be short of suitors but Dempster can’t afford to make a mistake in the recruitment process.
Having produced a rabbit from her hat previously she may well try to replicate the success of Stubbs by looking down south for potential managerial stars of the future but as we seen after her brutal sacking of Butcher she’s prepared to play the long game in order to secure a preferred target.
