{
  "id": 8034701,
  "title": "Are Hibs set up to follow Motherwell & Hearts coaching model?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/are-hibs-set-up-to-follow-motherwell-hearts-coaching-model",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T14:04:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/hibs-set-motherwell-hearts-coaching-140436842.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hibs fans are grappling with the departure of their long-serving manager, Sir David Gray, who was let go after just six league games. As Hibs continue to struggle, the question on everyone's lips is whether the club's board will follow the coaching models of rivals Motherwell and Hearts. Both teams have opted to seek out foreign managers in recent seasons, and Hibs may be considering doing the same.\n\nSporting director Malky Mackay, chairman Ian Gordon, and chief executive Dan Barnett are said to be the frontrunners for the position, but with a strong appetite among fans for an outsider. However, former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan insists that whoever is appointed must be the right fit. Gray's tenure at Hibs was marked by a steep decline in form, and finding a replacement who can turn the team around will be no easy task.\n\nThe style of play and ambition of the new manager are also under scrutiny. Motherwell have seemed to have the structure in place to smoothly transition between managers, with Alfred Johansson stepping in seamlessly after Berthel Askou's departure. Hearts, on the other hand, have seen a shift to a more aggressive and attacking style under Wouter Vrancken, who they hope will lead them to a league title.\n\nWhile Hibs' ambition is not entirely clear, there is a sense that the club needs a manager who can develop players and adhere to a winning style of play. Former Hibs striker Cillian Sheridan has questioned whether Hibs have the structure to commit to a long-term plan like Motherwell and Hearts. Ultimately, the decision lies with the club's board, but the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.",
  "summary": "After David Gray's departure, what direction might Hibernian go now when it comes to identifying a replacement?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}