Levein and MacPhee’s revival role

FROM BACK PAGE and new head coach Stendel came out after the loss and admitted his squad needs strengthening next month.

Ex-boss Levein and assistant coach McPhee have been asked to split the Tynecastle director of football role by Ann Budge.

It will see the pair do the majority of the Tynecastle wheeling and dealing in the upcoming window.

Levein is actively trying to move players on in a bid to cut the wage bill.

He brought the majority of the players to Gorgie but was unable to gel them on the pitch and was sacked in October.

Hearts went over-budget in the summer and the board want to bring their wage bill down, but also make funds available for Stendel, as was promised to him when he took the job earlier this month.

Levein is using his contacts to see what interest he can generate in a number of the Jambos’ squad.

MacPhee was assistant to Levein but Stendel made it clear that he didn’t want him as part of his immediate coaching team.

The former Hannover boss is still looking to bring in his own team but in the meantime is being assisted by Andy Kirk.

MacPhee is also trying to move players on but his main role is to help recommend transfer targets to Stendel.

He has taken in a number of games down south and was at the Middlesbrough v Stoke City match on Friday night.

MacPhee’s name had been in the mix for the manager’s position and also the sporting director at Hearts but he has failed to land either.

Hearts had advertised for both but have put their sporting director search on hold since the appointment of German Stendel.

Hearts haven’t won since Stendel took over and have now lost their last four games on the bounce.

Stendel admitted: “I think the biggest thing for us now is just to avoid relegation. We have to be realistic.”

Monday The