Are Hibs set up to follow Motherwell & Hearts coaching model?

Amid the Hibernian fans' sorrow at the departure of the man they call Sir David Gray, the discussions were already being had. Who - or what - next?

Given the Easter Road club's underwhelming start to the season, and the feeling the writing had been on the wall for the club legend, it would not be a stretch to think that the Hibs board have something of a plan in place.

John Potter will take charge of Saturday's Scottish Premiership home match against Aberdeen, before a lengthy international break.

But who will be in charge when Hibs next take the field at Dundee United on 10 October?

Do sporting director Malky Mackay, chairman Ian Gordon and chief executive Dan Barnett opt for a known name on these shores? Or do they follow city rivals Hearts, and before them Motherwell, in moving for a man abroad?

That appears to be the appetite of the Easter Road faithful. But, whoever they appoint, former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan insists it "has to be right".

Dismissing a manager is nothing new in Hibs' relatively recent past. Not being able to replace them with Gray is, though.

The stints of Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson were all followed by Gray taking interim charge. And when Nick Montgomery's tenure ended, Gray again stepped in but stayed for two years.

The Scottish Cup final hero steadied the most unstable of ships, steered them to back-to-back top five finishes and European football in consecutive campaigns.

That was never the issue, though. How they got there, their style of play - or lack thereof recently - was.

That is what makes this next appointment tricky. What is Hibs' ambition?

Motherwell have made it look easy. First, they identified in Jens Berthel Askou, then replaced him - almost seamlessly - with Alfred Johansson after a season of success.

While Askou's side pipped Hibs to fourth on the final day, most in green and white were more worried by what was going on at Celtic Park, where Hearts fell at the final hurdle in their title pursuit. Pure joy and pure relief in Leith.

While there is little doubt Hearts' high-flying campaign counted against Gray, there's a case to be made that the start made by Wouter Vrancken at Tynecastle has been just as detrimental to the departed Hibs manager.

"Naturally when your rivals are going for a league title, pressure comes," Gray's former team-mate Allan told BBC Scotland.

"But how Hearts have transitioned to Vrancken's style, they've been really consistent and look to be going in the right direction.

"With Jamestown, you always knew after Derek McInnes' it'd be that type of manager - and attacking, aggressive style of play - given what they done at Union Saint-Gilloise and Brighton.

"Similiar to Motherwell, their last two decisions have been spot on given how they want to play.

"From a Hibs perspective, they're a bit different. They've kind of looked like they're standing still, with Gray coming under pressure for how the team are performing.

"There has to be accountability upstairs."

Those upstairs also have questions from Cillian Sheridan to answer.

The well-travelled former striker pondered whether Hibs have "the structure" to commit to a route like Motherwell and Hearts.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the Irishman said: "Motherwell have the structure in place to have everything. The manager isn't the main focus, he's a head coach brought in to improve players and play a system.

"I'm not quite sure if Hibs have that structure in place at the minute or if they know what their remit is or style of the club is.

"If you're going down that route, someone else probably needs to be appointed above a manager before that happens.

"It depends what they want. Do they want someone who's just known for winning or being successful? Or do they want someone to come in and develop players with a style of play?

"Are Hibs happy to finish in the same position Gray finished but with football where they might win every second and third game, but they'll win it convincingly and in style? There's are lot of questions."

Big questions which require big answers.

Click here to read article