Stuart Lovell: Cash fears won't stop coaches queuing at the Hibees' door

Published on Monday 1 June 2009 09:58

THE SPL managerial merry-go-round has kicked into overdrive these past few days with Mixu Paatelainen leaving his post at Easter Road, following hot on the heels of Gordon Strachan and Jimmy Calderwood, who both vacated their respective jobs at Celtic and Aberdeen after the final games of the season.

There is a common denominator amongst all three departures because it seems the supporters of each club are relieved rather than upset their bosses have left the hot seat.

Let's be honest, football supporters are a tough breed to understand at the best of times, particularly when it comes to Celtic and Aberdeen.

Gordon Strachan managed his team to three league championships in four seasons, only failing to make it four in a row on the final day and yet the vast majority of fans appear to be glad to see the back of him.

Now, no-one should be more relieved than me that wee Gordon has gone – after all, I've had the dubious honour of having to interview him before and after games for the past three seasons and believe me, there were plenty of times when that was a thankless task. But, if I'm honest, I'm disappointed he decided to step down.

Like him or loathe him, he's certainly got charisma and I'm sure the SPL will be a duller place without him.

Jimmy Calderwood and Aberdeen have never been a good match in the eyes of their supporters and like Celtic, there don't appear to be too many punters crying any tears that Jimmy has gone.

There is a suggestion that embarrassing cup defeats against the likes of Queen's Park, Queen of the South and, most recently, Dunfermline cost the manager his job, but you'd like to think his board of directors would be a bit more circumspect than that.

It's safe to assume at the start of every season Aberdeen target a top-six finish and, in his five seasons at the helm, Calderwood delivered on each occasion.

For some reason, that wasn't enough and so, in rather unceremonious fashion, he left the club. Let's get on to Hibs, who after Mixu's resignation, are also searching for a new boss.

Whoever it is that gets the nod will be the fourth man in charge in the space of just two-and-a-half years – hardly a recipe for success or continuity.

The last two managers have chosen to resign, frustrated at an apparent lack of funds to compete with other teams in the top half of the SPL and I wonder how off-putting that will be to any potential candidates?

In the overall scheme of things, Hibs are in pretty good nick.

They have reduced their debt to a manageable level with a strict wage structure making sure no one player earns far more than the rest.

Their key players have all been signed up on lengthy contracts meaning if the club were to sell, it would only be for the right price.

They have a brand new training ground which is always a good bargaining tool when trying to entice new players to the club.

So there are plenty of positives for the new man to work with and, with that in mind, the club should have no shortage of applicants for the job.

As always, there are plenty of names in the frame with John Hughes and Mark Venus both getting an early mention.

Yogi has done a tremendous job at turning Falkirk into a well-respected SPL side who play the type of football Hibs fans enjoy – as a former player and a Leither to boot he ticks a lot of boxes and would surely be the fans' choice.

But, after two former players – Mixu and Franck Sauzee – failed to make their mark in recent times, it's anyone's guess as to whether or not the Hibs board will want to go down that route again.