McClaren out of the running for Hearts job
STEVE McCLAREN has dropped out of the running to become the next Hearts manager. The former England boss had thrown his hat into the ring to replace the sacked Ian Cathro at Tynecastle. However, despite emerging as the bookmakers’ favourite, McClaren is believed to be ready to join Maccabi Tel Aviv in a coaching consultant capacity, working alongside the Israeli club’s sporting director Jordi Cruyff. The former Newcastle United, Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager led Middlesbrough to the UEFA Cup Final in 2006 before a disastrous one-year spell in charge of England during which they failed to qualify for Euro 2008. But he then steered FC Twente to their maiden Dutch title in 2009-10 prior to an ill-fated period at the helm of German side Wolfsburg. McClaren’s decision to head for Israel to work with
Cruyff, whom he coached at Manchester United during the late 1990s, leaves former Hearts players Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley and ex-Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman in the running for the post. Falkirk boss Peter Houston, St Johnstone’s Tommy Wright, Owen Coyle and Aidy Boothroyd have been linked to the job. Former Juventus and Dundee striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, ex-Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo and Dutch legend Edgar Davids have also declared an interest in succeeding Cathro in the hotseat. Caretaker boss Jon Daly is keen on landing the job on a permanent basis after steering Hearts to their first win in six Premiership matches at Kilmarnock last Saturday. Daly is not believed to be on the Hearts shortlist, but the 34-year-old former Dundee United and Rangers striker is hoping that his spell in the dugout proves more impressive than any number of polished interview performances by bigger-name applicants. The Irishman hopes to burnish his credentials for the position when the team face Rangers in a mouthwatering Ibrox clash on Saturday. It is understood that some of the interviews for the managerial vacancy have already been carried out by club owner Ann Budge and director of football, Craig Levein. The selection process has been put on hold this week because Budge indicated that she has to attend to prior commitments. However, it is thought that the new boss will be in place for Hearts’ trip to face Motherwell at Fir Park in the Premiership on August 26. Meanwhile, Hearts have appealed Portuguese striker Isma Goncalves’ red card in Saturday’s victory over Kilmarnock. The matchwinner was sent off for violent conduct following a struggle with Kirk Broadfoot, who hauled him to the ground and pulled his hair.