BILLY BROWN will take charge of first team affairs at Hibernian as the club searches for a new manager following the sacking of Colin Calderwood.

The Easter Road side axed Calderwood last night after just 12 months in the hotseat following a run of poor results which left them one point off bottom in the SPL.

Ex-Hearts assistant Billy Brown put in temporary charge at Hibs

Former Hearts number two Brown, 60, was recruited as Calderwood’s assistant in September.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Billy Brown will take on first team duties in an interim capacity whilst the recruitment process for a new manager is completed.

“Brown will take full control of the squad over the international break as they prepare for the fixture versus Kilmarnock on 19 November.

“The recruitment process for the new manager began this morning and is being led by executive director Scott Lindsay and managing director Fife Hyland.

“The board is now focused on speaking with shareholders at the Annual General Meeting tomorrow evening.

“No further comment will be made on the recruitment process until after the AGM.”

Hibs now begin the search for their fifth manager in less than four years.

Brown, who was the long-time right-hand man of Jim Jefferies before his recent switch to Leith, has already been linked with the post on a permanent basis.

The early favourite to fill the vacancy, though, is Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill.

The former Northern Ireland international played for Hibs between 1993 and 1996 and began his managerial career at Scottish Football League side Brechin City before his move to Rovers in December 2008.

Other names in the frame include former Aberdeen and Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood, Hamilton manager Billy Reid, Liverpool assistant boss Steve Clarke and ex-St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson now at Queen of the South.