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Pep Guardiola has phoned Hibs to back Raul Caneda Perez’s push to become their next manager.

Experienced Perez is currently in charge at Qatari side Umm Salal but wants to succeed Paul Heckingbottom at Easter Road.

Hibs have held talks with the 50-year-old over the past 48 hours as they begin to draw up a shortlist.

And Record Sport can reveal Manchester City boss Guardiola has called Hibs sporting director Graeme Mathie to recommend Perez.

The duo first met when Guardiola was seeing out his playing days in Mexico with Dorados and Perez was assistant boss.

(Image: SNS Group)

Perez has worked as an external analyst for Guardiola at Barcelona and Manchester City, studying Champions League opponents.

He was also assistant boss at Real Sociedad and Almeria before becoming a manager eight years ago.

Perez enjoyed successful spells at Saudi clubs Al Ittihad and Al-Nassr before joining Umm Salal.

He has a wealth of experience in the Asian Champions League and has also written a coaching book back in Spain.

Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross and Celtic assistant John Kennedy are two other candidates, while ex-Notts County manager Harry Kewell took in Hibs’ weekend win over St Johnstone.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has issued a hands-off warning over Kennedy while former Hibs gaffers Alan Stubbs and John Hughes are keen on a return but not in the running for the job.

Motherwell's Stephen Robinson was also under consideration but the Hibees are reluctant to pay compensation while veteran German Felix Magath’s application has been dismissed.