Thordarson rejects Hibs

Thordarson won promotion to the English First Division with Stoke

Gudjon Thordarson has had a change of heart and has rejected the chance to be Hibernian's temporary manager.

A Hibs spokesman said: "Discussions were held yesterday, terms were agreed and, after speaking to his family, he phoned later to say he would accept.

"But, when he arrived at the club this morning to sign the documentation, he said he wanted to keep himself available for a permanent position."

Coaches Jim Clark and Gerry McCabe will continue as caretakers at Easter Road.

It is believed that Thordarson, the Icelandic former boss of Barnsley and Stoke City, did not believe that three games were sufficient to prove himself and win the Hibs job permanently.

It was always going to be a temporary appointment Hibs spokesman

"His position changed overnight and he was entitled to do that," said the Hibs spokesman.

"It was always going to be a temporary appointment, but he has gone his way and we have gone ours.

"We are continuing our search for a permanent new manager and there has been a considerable amount of interest.

"The fact that we were prepared to make an interim appointment is an indication that we are not rushing into anything."

Hibs had faced some media criticism for considering such a short-term appointment, with Thordarson working with Clark and McCabe until the end of the current campaign.

But the spokesman explained: "Jim and Gerry don't see themselves as managers and were keen for us to get someone in as soon as possible.

Hibs douse Hay speculation

"We also thought it might freshen things up for the last three games, as the higher up the league we finish, the more money we receive at the end of the season.

"It took us several days to find someone to take charge temporarily and we don't have that time available to us again, so Jim and Gerry will look after team matters until the end of the season."

Both Clark and McCabe are likely to join former manager Bobby Williamson at Plymouth Argyle at the end of the season.

Livingston manager Davie Hay has also been heavily linked with the Hibs job and on Saturday announced he was unlikely to be at City Stadium next season.

The new consortium hoping to take over the SPL outfit say they would prefer Livi coach Allan Preston to be at the helm next season.

Hibs will also have been alerted to the sudden availability of former Motherwell manager Eric Black, who was sacked by Coventry City on Monday along with assistant Archie Knox and goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson.