McInnes a 'no-brainer' for Hearts - or should they go for Keegan or Bruce?

5 hours ago 4
ARTICLE AD BOX

Heart of Midlothian are looking for their third manager of the season following the exit in October of Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley's departure six months later.

Derek McInnes is the hot favourite for the role, with the Tynecastle club poised to make contact with Kilmarnock on Monday.

We asked Hearts fans if they felt the 53-year-old former Aberdeen boss is the right man for the job - and the responses came flooding in.

This is a selection of the pros and cons of McInnes as the Jambos see it - plus some left-field alternatives...

Joey Martin: It's a no-brainer. What we need is a period of stability. To rebuild. And Derek has that ability and experience.

Terry Dobson: McInnes should've been in the door years ago at Tynecastle but instead we've mucked about with risks such as Ian Cathro, Daniel Stendel and Critchley. McInnes would be the best gaffer and the biggest statement at the club since the appointment of Graham Rix.

Bruce Wishart: To me he is a top manager. Plenty of experience. Will bring stability to the club. Critchley never had what it takes to run a club the size of Hearts.

David S: Hearts can't afford another project manager. McInnes, if appointed, will be the sensible appointment and bring much-needed stability to the club. With Jamestown Analytics and McInnes' experience, next term will see us restore natural order.

Michael Gallagher: McInnes is a no-brainer for the Hearts job from a Hearts point of view! Knows Scottish football, gets the best out of players, can set a team up tactically, players would be fit and motivated and he won't accept slackers. With McInnes in charge we'll get standards set and he won't be a yes man for [chair] Ann Budge and her 'yes' cronies. It makes absolute sense but there still needs to be change in the boardroom as well as an overhaul of the playing squad.

Jason Brownhill: Hearts should have appointed McInnes some time ago. He's always been a strong, reliable manager with a great knowledge of the Scottish game and he is a manager who commands respect. Hearts have a great infrastructure in place and with Jamestown Analytics on board, I really think this could become a successful combination.

Jimbo: I have to admit to hoping for the best with Critchley but we were obviously going nowhere; anyone with a football brain knows Lawrence Shankland will score if given enough chances, he was wasted playing deep. I think McInnes will be good for Hearts and I look forward to next season now after this disastrous one. He'll also buck up one or two players taking home tidy wages but barely pulling their weight. This guy's a different kettle of fish and won't take prisoners.

Kenny: 100% I would love it if he came here. Exactly what we need after failed appointment after failed appointment. He has always talked Hearts and Tynecastle up and he would be perfect for us.

Colin Allison: Why would Hearts want to appoint a manager solely on the basis that as a safe pair of hands, he would be good enough to produce a regular third place in the league? Where is the ambition? Just look at McInnes' personal trophy cabinet - it speaks volumes. Surely there is an exciting, talented manager out there to take over the reins at Tynecastle?

Bruce Aitchison: Not for me, sorry. Would rather see the club show a bit ambition and try and hire someone that's been in the Premier League before. Alan Curbishley, Kevin Keegan, Steve Bruce etc. Someone who has played at the highest level and also managed there too.

Ray Stevenson: Why are Hearts even considering McInnes? He is managing a team two places below us and we have had a shocking season. Surely we must have ambition rather than a stabilising manager. Brighton's last two managers have done really well and both were left-field selections .

David Cluness: McInnes? Absolutely not. One trophy as a manager. Style of football not what I want. I want to be entertained. Have not heard one Jambo say that they want him. Ann Budge's record on managers is a joke.

Alf: Not an inspiring choice. As Aberdeen manager, he was never known for adventurous football and arguably under-performed for years at a time when Hearts, Hibs and Rangers were all struggling or not even in the top division. Those criticising Jamestown Analytics for Critchley's appointment need to realise Hearts actively sought a coach who'd promote youth development over one with proven success. Surely with Tony Bloom's pending offer we could have attracted an exciting, up-and-coming coach with new ideas rather than the same stale old names being peddled round the Scottish game?

Read Entire Article