HIBERNIAN'S plans to return to the Ladbrokes Premiership next summer were thrown into disarray last night when manager Alan Stubbs agreed a three-year deal to join Rotherham United.

The 44-year-old has decided that his future lies in England after holding talks with Rotherham chairman Tony Stewart yesterday.

Stubbs wrote his name into Hibs folklore last month by leading the club to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 114 years and met with board members last week to plan for next season.

However, he has opted to turn his back on the opportunity of leading the Edinburgh outfit into the Europa League next month, and into a third successive Championship promotion battle, to chase his dream in the English game with the Championship outfit.

Stubbs, who has also been linked with the vacant manager's posts at former club Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks, joined Hibs on a two-year contract in June 2014 and agreed a 12-month extension last summer.

But it was always expected he would at some point return south of the border, where he began his coaching career with boyhood idols Everton under the guise of David Moyes and Roberto Martinez.

After becoming the first Hibs boss to win the Scottish Cup since 1902 and having led the club to the League Cup final in March, he clearly feels the time is now right to take the next step in his managerial career whilst his stock is high.