Hibs new manager search latest as 'leading candidate' with proven European record named as potential hire
Contract clause would allow League of Ireland great to move despite current title battle
Hibs have been linked with one of Irish football’s most successful and long-serving managers in their hunt for David Gray’s replacement. And Stephen Bradley would be available without compensation because of the way his contract with Shamrock Rovers is structured.
Bradley has been described as a “leading candidate” for the vacant Hibs job, according to a report in the Irish Independent. He recently celebrated his tenth anniversary as boss.
As well as dominating domestically, winning five league titles and two FAI Cups, Bradley has impressed on the European a stage – a vital criteria for a team desperate to make the group stages of UEFA competition for the first time. The 41-year-old has taken Rovers into to the UEFA Conference League groups on three separate occasions.
Shamrock Rovers still in title fight
Rovers are currently locked in a three-way battle to retain the league title. There are just five games of the remaining – and it would be difficult to prise Bradley away from the club in the circumstances.
Jon Dahl Tomasson link
But compensation will NOT be a problem, according to reports. Bradley’s contract is not for a fixed term and is believed to include a clause allowing him to leave for another offer, assuming certain conditions are met.
Hibs have a link with Shamrock Rovers, who they played in a pre-season friendly at the Tallaght back in June, through sporting director Stephen McPhail. He was a player under Easter Road sporting director Malky Mackay when the Scot was in charge at Cardiff City.
Despite his success in Ireland, Bradley has previously rejected chances to work in the UK for family reasons. But he’s never been linked with a job of this size – and is reported to be interested in opening talks about a move to Edinburgh.
Hibs have also been linked with Danish great Jon Dahl Tomasson, most recently sacked as Sweden boss, with former player-turned-pundit Andy Halliday insisting that the Easter Road club “want” the ex-AC Milan star as manager.
Former Rangers and Hearts star Halliday told the Open Goal podcast that Hibs had already made contact, revealing: “Somebody told me yesterday [Sunday] about Jon Dahl Tomasson. Hibs want him is what I've heard, and there have been chats. Whether that leads him to getting the job, I don't know.
“We played his Blackburn Rovers team in pre-season when I was with Hearts in Marbella, and we couldn't get the ball of them. Honestly.”
Former Hibs player Aiden McGeady, who was also on the podcast, added: “He's a bigger name. Certain managers will be paid less than the top players, but I think a big name manager gets parity with those players.
“On a Talent ID course I was on, there was an English boy, but he was a Swedish like analyst, and he buzzed off Jon-Dahl Tomasson, and the way he played football. But then he had a shocker with Sweden, you're right.”