Sources: Hibernian seek permission from Bristol Rovers to hold Steve Evans talks

Hibernian are ready to seek permission from Bristol Rovers to speak to Steve Evans over the managerial vacancy at Easter Road, sources have told Football Insider.

Edinburgh outfit Hibs are searching for a new manager following the departure of David Gray this week following a poor run of form.

The 63-year-old is also a contender for the manager's job at Championship side Preston North End after the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom earlier this month.

Former Leeds United and Rotherham manager Evans is understood to have admirers within the corridors of power at Easter Road and Deepdale having transformed Bristol Rovers' fortunes in his short time at the club.

When the Scot took charge at Bristol Rovers last December the club were on a dismal run of 10 straight defeats and in the League Two relegation zone.

However, Evans steered the club away from danger to comfortably avoid dropping out of the EFL and secured a 14th-place finish last season.

Steve Evans catching eyes at Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers have won 15 of their past 20 League Two games under Evans, picking up more points (41) than any other side in the division in that time, and have lost just three times on that run.

Evans has guided his side to joint-top of League Two and the club are aware of the growing interest from other clubs in the Scot's services.

It was not an easy start for 63-year-old, who saw his side win just one of his opening eight games in charge following his December arrival.

But his tactics quickly began to bear fruit, with Bristol Rovers putting together a stunning eight-game winning streak at the end of last season as relegation was comfortably avoided.

Evans' side were beaten 2-0 by Grimsby Town on last week, bringing a run of four consecutive wins in League Two to an end.

Evans to make Scotland move after close call

Evans spent almost the entirety of his playing career in Scotland, featuring for the likes of Clyde FC and St Johnstone.

He has never managed north of the border, but admitted that he has come close before.

"I’ve been given an opportunity by two or three clubs to work up there. Totally, totally the right clubs – just the wrong time in my career," he said in 2025.

"The nearest I came was Heart of Midlothian when the owner Romanov was there. I met him and some people who represented him, worked for him, in London. Then I went up to Edinburgh.”

"I was really, really keen. I mean, it’s Hearts, a great club. But then – like you’re always advised to do some due diligence, I’d read a few things – and I spoke to the one man who’s been my lieutenant, sadly gone now, Craig Brown.

"But I spoke to others. Craig always put it across in an equal way. The feeling I got, well, it was absolutely one million per cent the right club…but the wrong owner."

It remains to be seen whether Hibernian will be the right opportunity for Evans.