Terry Butcher declared himself “very excited” about his new job as Hibernian manager but admitted he had left Inverness with a heavy heart.
Butcher was unveiled as Hibernian manager on Tuesday afternoon after signing a three-year contract.
Former Dundee Unted star Maurice Malpas has followed his long-time management partner to Edinburgh as assistant after rejecting the opportunity to become Caley Thistle boss.
The pair leave the Highlands with Inverness second in the SPFL following a 2-0 win at Easter Road on Saturday, when Butcher watched from the stand as Malpas masterminded Hibernian’s fourth consecutive defeat.
Butcher said: “It’s been a difficult week, it really has, because of what we have left behind up there. We left some fabulous players and it’s hard to say goodbye to that.
“We have really enjoyed ourselves. It’s been nearly five years up there.
“It was really bizarre for me on Saturday to watch the team play. It was hard for Maurice as well.
“If you look at the way Caley Thistle played on Saturday, that’s the way we want to get Hibs playing from now on.
“But it was great to be at the training centre today. A few meaty tackles were flying about with everybody trying to impress.
“So it’s been a whirlwind eight days but we are just delighted to be here.”
Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, who was flanked by Butcher and Malpas at a media conference, added: “It can be a difficult job appointing a manager but it’s easy when there is an outstanding candidate who is head and shoulders above everyone else.”