Media speculation has linked Alex Neil to the vacant head coach position at Heart of Midlothian FC, but a number of other high profile names have also been mentioned in reports in the national press.
Neil, a former Hamilton, Norwich and Stoke City boss is said to be the early favourite with bookmakers, and he has been out of a job for nine months after being sacked by The Potters.
Stephen Robinson (pictured), the current manager of St Mirren, who beat Hearts 2-1 on Saturday in Paisley, and Kilmarnock manager, Derek McInnes, who steered the Rugby Park side into fourth spot last term but has signed a contract extension until 2027, are highly quoted by bookies.
Of course, the Tynecastle club are talking to Brighton chairman Tony Bloom over a £10m investment and the 54-year-old sports bettor, poker player and entrepreneur, has an analytics company and they could be involved in the search for a replacement.
Sources indicate that Hearts could be looking overseas for a replacement and Arnar Gunnlaugsson, currently with Icelandic club, Vikingur, has also been mentioned in reports.
He has worked in Scotland before, at Dundee United, and there is no indication yet from Hearts’ board if they intend making a quick appointment ahead of Saturday’s home clash in the William Hill Premiership with Ross County.
The Staggies are in eighth position in the 12-strong table and Hearts prop up the league with one point from six matches. They desperately need a win to boost confidence.
Liam Fox, the club’s B team boss, is the interim manager, and quoted by McBookies as fourth favourite at 6/1 for the permanent job, with Dundee boss Tony Docherty in at 8/1.
Peter Leven, the first team coach at Aberdeen, is 10/1, Scot Gemmill, head coach for the Scotland under-21 side, also 10/1, and three names are quoted at 12/1, Damien Duff, the manager of League of Ireland club Shelbourne, Gary Rowett, recently interim manager of EFL League One side, Birmingham City, and Falkirk boss John McGlynn whose side received praise for their performance against Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday despite losing 5-2.
However, the ambitious club are reported to have received a number of applications for the job and they could wait until after next week’s trip to Dinamo Minsk in the UEFA Conference League (October 3), followed by a visit to Pittodrie to face high-flying Aberdeen a few days later (October 6, 15.00), before naming their new man.
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