Next Hibs manager: What Roy Keane had to say about return to the dugout and how likely it will be Easter Road

Over the weekend, Roy Keane emerged as a contender to fill the vacant Hibs managerial role following the departure of Shaun Maloney.

The Easter Road hierarchy, led by owner Ron Gordon, took the decision to relieve Maloney of his duties after 19 games with the team in the bottom six and dumped out of the Scottish Cup by rivals Hearts.

Gordon spoke of the “trend” with the board concerned about the direction of the team under the manager.

Hibs are now on the hunt for their sixth manager in the last six years

"We will cast our net wider in terms of recruitment of coaches and players and the kind of football we want to play," Gordon said regarding the managerial search. “We don't want to limit ourselves. We have a list of potentials and it has a little bit of everything, but many are from the UK. They are here, they understand the game and the dynamic, so there's some comfort in that.”

Reports in Ireland suggested Hibs were set to try and convince Keane that his future lay in Leith. The Scotsman understands the Manchester United legend and former Celtic midfielder is keen on the Easter Road position. Hibs have not ruled out the former Sunderland and Ipswich Town manager, but are wary that he has not been a manager for more than 11 years since leaving his job at Ipswich.

Keane enjoyed success at Sunderland, leading the team to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge before guiding the Black Cats to 15th. He left midway through his third season.

At Ipswich, he took over towards the end of the 2008/09 season and recorded positive results. But would have just one full campaign with the Tractor Boys finishing 15th in the English second tier.

Since then, the 50-year-old has become a