Hull City's search for a manager is starting to gather pace, following Nigel Adkins' departure from the KCOM Stadium last weekend.

Adkins guided the Tigers to a 13th-placed finish in the Championship last season, but he revealed in a statement last Saturday he had turned down the offer of a new contract.

The 54-year-old's bold decision ends his 18-month reign on Humberside, and it now leaves the Hull hierarchy with 12 days to install his successor before pre-season training begins.

A wide array of names have been suggested for the vacancy, but Hibernian boss Paul Heckingbottom is the latest name to be linked, according to the Scottish Sun.

So, what can be made of this interesting link? We take a close look in today's FLW Six Pointer...

What has Heckingbottom achieved in his managerial career so far?

Heckingbottom made his name as a manager when he guided Barnsley to League One promotion in 2016 when he was caretaker manager. His strong performance earned him the job on a permanent basis, and he guided the Tykes to Championship safety in the following season.

He was then appointed Leeds manager in February 2018, but his reign was short-lived as he was sacked after winning just four games out of his 16 in charge. He took over as Hibernian boss earlier this year, and he has made a solid, if not spectacular, start to life north of the border by winning six of his first 14 matches.

Why would he be attracting interest from Hull?

It would be wrong to say Heckingbottom has enjoyed a glittering managerial career so far, but his achievements on a limited budget at Barnsley will be the main reason he may appeal to the Tigers.

The 41-year-old worked wonders on a tight budget at Oakwell after climbing through the club's coaching set-up. This means he has a clear ethos that doesn't revolve around transfer dealings, and this is something Hull would seemingly benefit from after Adkins was forced to work with low transfer funds.

Hull are also willing to pay compensation in order to land their man, so the fact Heckingbottom is already employed by Hibs will not distract the Allams too much.

Would he be a good fit for Hull?

Hull's recent permanent managers have included the likes of Mike Phelan, Marco Silva, Leonid Slutsky and Adkins. The contrasting approaches represented here suggests the Tigers don't really have a certain mould of manager in mind when recruiting.

Therefore, the fact Hull are likely to be open-minded about Adkins' successor gives Heckingbottom every chance of fitting in well within the club's structures.

His Barnsley side was expressive and exciting to watch, and he has developed a reputation of getting the best out of the players he has at his disposal. This will tick several boxes for the Hull chiefs.

What would be the biggest benefit to Hull appointing Heckingbottom?

Heckingbottom's gained his reputation by accelerating the development of young players at Barnsley. He initally worked with the development side, and then introduced several youth stars into the first-team set-up at Oakwell.

The likes of Mason Holgate, Alfie Mawson and Josh Scowen all featured in Heckingbottom's Tykes' side at a young age, and this will certainly appeal to Hull as they currently have a wide array of bright prospects within their ranks.

Hull's brightest academy prospects include names such as Dan Batty, Tyler Hamilton and Brandon Fleming. This is not to mention 22-year-old forward Jarrod Bowen, who truly shone under Adkins last season.

Would he leave Hibernian?

It's hard to say. Heckingbottom is reportedly enjoying life in Scotland after helping Hibs to a fifth-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership last summer.

He has already made three recruitments in the off-season, including former Barnsley defender Adam Jackson and Rotherham midfielder Joe Newell. This suggests Heckingbottom is very much intending to remain at Easter Road for next season.

However, you get the feeling he could certainly be lured to the KCOM Stadium if Hull chiefs pinpoint him as their number one choice to succeed Adkins. He will feel he has unfinished business in the Championship after his Leeds failure.

So, should Hull plump for Heckingbottom?

I think it would be a big gamble, and the Tigers should make sure they don't rush into anything in order to make an appointment before pre-season training begins.

Heckingbottom fits the bill in several aspects, such as his youth player development and ability to work with limited finances. However, he failed to deliver in his last Championship job, although it should be remembered that he entered a difficult situation at Elland Road.

It would definitely be considered a risk for Hull to appoint Heckingbottom, but I think the club could do a lot worse given the circumstances at present. He is one of the more interesting names to be linked with the role, for sure.