Hughes has signed a three-year contract after quitting fellow Clydesdale Bank Premier League side Falkirk.

His assistant Brian Rice is expected to join him at Easter Road when he returns from holiday.

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Hibs launched their search for a new manager following Mixu Paatelainen's surprise decision to resign at the end of last month.

"The search for a new manager is always a difficult task and after a very thorough process we were fortunate to have a number of exceptional candidates," Hibs chairman Rod Petrie told www.hibernianfc.co.uk.

"John Hughes was the unanimous choice of the board not for his exploits as a former player, but for his credentials as a manager, his style of football and his potential to bring success to the club on the field of play.

"I am sure too that John will galvanise everyone connected with Hibernian and drive the club forward.

"The board will never lose sight of the requirement for Hibernian FC to be competing for honours and we see John as the ideal candidate to achieve this."

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Hughes, 44, spent four years as a player at Hibs but believes it was his management credentials - and not his history with the club - which earned him the job.

"This is a very proud day for me," he told www.hibernianfc.co.uk.

"I am delighted to be the manager of Hibernian. Everyone knows what Hibernian means to me.

"I have so much respect for the club and its supporters that I would not have accepted the job if I did not think that I could make a real difference and be successful.

"It is important to me that the board have identified that it is my managerial ability, and not my history as a Hibernian player, as the reason I have been appointed."

Hughes spent six years at Falkirk, with last season probably the most dramatic of his tenure, securing their SPL survival, runners-up spot in the Scottish Cup and European football for the first time in the club's history.

He added: "I also have great affection for Falkirk FC and would like to thank everyone connected with that club for the fantastic opportunity they gave me to cut my teeth as a manager.

"My future now lies with Hibernian and I believe I will bring innovation and an attractive style of passing football to the club.

"I can't wait to start working with the players and get down to business at the training centre."

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Falkirk's board will meet on Tuesday night at the Falkirk Stadium as they begin a search for Hughes' successor.

Chairman Martin Ritchie said: "This will be a very attractive position to many people in football.

"We are now an established SPL side, we have an excellent infrastructure in place to support a new manager, as well as an academy and training facilities which are second to none in Scotland.

"We have our first foray into European competition and our new South Stand to look forward to.

"The new manager will be expected to continue our policies of youth development, the use of the latest sports science techniques and to maintain our attractive style of football.

"This is a great opportunity for both the new manager and for the club as we look forward to the new season."

Speaking on www.falkirkfc.co.uk, managing director George Craig added: "It is imperative that we move quickly to make a new appointment.

"We have several out of contract players and the new manager will want to decide which he wants to keep.

"We need to have the management team in place as soon as possible and the first team squad fully prepared for our first European tie on July 16."