THE recent convulsions in the Cabinet demonstrate what can happen when personal relations turn sour. It occurs in every walk of life.
But football shares politics' capacity for commanding attention and discussion about Hibs' latest managerial search has been dominated by a heavily rumoured problem which exists between Easter Road chairman Rod Petrie and John Hughes, one that has no
t been publicly acknowledged by either party.
Paul Kane, who attended both primary and secondary school with Hughes, estimates that as many as 70 per cent of Hibs supporters want Hughes to succeed Mixu Paatelainen, who left the club last week. But this weight of numbers could yet face an immovable force in Petrie. "As far as I know there is not a problem between John Hughes and Rod Petrie," says Kane, the former Hibs player and fervent fan. "If there is a problem it is between Rod Petrie and John Hughes."
Hibs supporters fear this alleged rift could present an obstruction to Hughes returning to Easter Road, though the Falkirk manager has also been linked with Blackpool and Swansea. Sheer ambition could steer Hughes away from his boyhood heroes, whatever the state of his relationship with Petrie. He has talked often of a long-held desire to work in England, although in former club Swansea's case he would have to tailor this wish to include south Wales. But since he began earning his managerial spurs with Falkirk, Hughes has always featured high in the list of candidates when the Easter Road position has come up. Despite a steadily improving CV he has been passed over on three previous occasions. If he is ignored again now, it would be hard to dismiss the claim Hughes is for some reason persona non grata at Easter Road.
Pat Stanton has been in and around Easter Road as often as anyone and has heard the stories that currently dominate conversation between fans. "Knowing both Rod Petrie and John Hughes personally I am certain they are not petty men," he says. "If they felt it was the right thing for the club I am sure they would bury any hatchet."
Stanton, who as well as skippering Hibs also managed the side, does stress that it is vital there is a good working relationship between manager and chairman. "In my experience it is the most important relationship at any club," he says. "If there is a problem they would need to leave it to one side otherwise the club would suffer.
"But you have to accept that at every club there will be people you won't be sending Christmas cards to. You have a job to do and you get on with it. It's the same on a building site, or in an office."
He adds: "With John you get what you get. Rod is a quieter, private man."
These opposites have not attracted each other yet. The reason for any suggested distance between two men who have Hibernian at heart is the subject of much speculation on internet forum messageboards.
It is more likely that a cool relationship dates back to Hughes' playing days at Hibs, when he was a typically vocal member of the first-team squad and Petrie had the role of managing director. It is claimed Hughes, who was captain of the side, also wore a metaphorical armband around the club, constantly pestering Petrie on behalf of the players. No-one can dispute that he was left unhappy when told he was being released in 2000. At the age of 35, and with manager Alex McLeish keen to look to the future, it could not have been unexpected, but Hughes admitted the news took some time to digest. He noted that even McLeish would agree he was still among the fittest players at the club.
"I pride myself on my fitness and I still have another good couple of years left in me," he said at the time. "But, football being football, things change and I have to move on.
"I don't hold any grudges. I enjoy working with Alex McLeish and wish him and all the players all the best for the future."
He did, however, acknowledge that his performance in his last appearance for the club, against Motherwell, had not been all it might have been.
"My head was not right but that was no excuse for the performance I gave," he said. "I apologised to one or two of the boys after the game for it. I've taken the news very hard. I'm a local boy who managed to live the dream."
Kane also lived the dream of playing for Hibs and he urged both men to forget the past for the good of the club. "They should just shake hands and get on with it," he said. "Hibs are the most important thing. They always have been."
