Former Barnsley and Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom could yet become the new manager of Ladbrokes Premiership club Hibernian according to reports by the Edinburgh Evening News.
The 41-year-old former defender has been out of work since being sacked by Leeds United last summer following a disappointing four-month spell in charge at Elland Road.
Heckingbottom has been linked with a return to management with Scottish top flight club Hibernian, although former Oxford United boss Michael Appleton was thought to be the leading candidate for the role. It is now believed that talks between Hibernian and Appleton may have stalled leaving Heckingbottom in the driving seat for the vacancy at Easter Road.
After initially joining hometown club Barnsley as a coach, Heckingbottom twice took charge of the South Yorkshire club on a caretaker basis. The former defender guided The Tykes to a Wembley Sky Bet League One play-off final and Checkatrade Trophy double resulting in him landing the job on a permanent basis.
After keeping Barnsley in a comfortable league position in the second tier of English football, Leeds United came calling for his services 12 months ago and Heckingbottom opted to move to Elland Road. His managerial career with The Whites failed to really get going and after winning just four of his first 16 matches in charge of Leeds United, his was dismissed in June last year.
