Derek McInnes on brink of Hearts manager job as analytics make Kilmarnock boss target No.1 for second time
The software has pinpointed McInnes for a second time as Hearts hunt for the manager most capable of restoring their position
Derek McInnes is edging closer to accepting the Hearts job - almost eight months after Brighton’s data crunchers identified him as the best candidate for the position.
Record Sport understands McInnes was championed by Jamestown Analytics as the ideal man to replace Steven Naismith back in October as the club reeled from a catastrophic start to the season.
But, rather than shelling out a compensation package to land their man from Kilmarnock, the Tynecastle regime opted to appoint Neil Critchley to the position instead.
The Englishman was fired a fortnight ago after failing to secure the club with a top fix finish in the Premiership.
And now the same software has pinpointed McInnes for a second time as Hearts hunt for the manager most capable of restoring their position as the third force in Scottish football.
Back channeling talks between both clubs are believed to have been going on behind the scenes over the last 24 hours with McInnes expected to be officially granted permission to discuss the move by tomorrow at the latest.
Hearts had initially hoped to have the vastly experienced 53-year-old in the dugout in time for the visit of St Johnstone on Wednesday night but interim boss Liam Fox may be left to hold the fort while those negotiations continue.
That would mean McInnes could be in line to make his debut in the Hearts dugout on Sunday - when the Jambos take on Killie at Rugby Park in the final league fixture of the current campaign.
McInnes has spent the last three years at the Ayrshire club, leading them back into the top flight at the first attempt before guiding them to a European spot with a fourth placed finish last season.
Those achievements, coupled with his highly successful eight year stint in charge of Aberdeen, have convinced Tony Bloom’s boffins that he is the man best qualified for the role of replacing Critchley.
Brighton owner Bloom has pledged to plough almost £10m into the Gorgie club this summer in return for a 29 per cent stake - with fans and shareholders in the Foundation of Hearts set to vote on his proposals.
And Bloom is almost certain to give his full backing to McInnes after his own technology twice reached the conclusion that the former St Johnstone and Bristol City boss fits the club’s key criteria.
It remains to be seen whether or not Killie owner Billy Bowie will give the move his personal blessing ahead of the final day showdown with Hearts, with McInnes also likely to raid Rugby Park to make up his new backroom team at Tynecastle.
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