Macphee gets go-ahead to hold Pune City talks
Hearts have granted assistant coach Austin Macphee permission to speak to Pune City about the prospect of becoming the Indian Super League club’s new manager.
The ‘Stallions’ have identified the 38- year-old as a potential candidate for the role in the wake of Brazilian Marcos Paqueta’s decision to quit after just one month at the helm, and Macphee is expected to hold talks with City’s owners over the phone in the next 24 hours.
Macphee said: “This has come out of the blue. I am relaxed about it but I think you are better having a conversation. It’ s an exciting project at Hearts, I feel we will be good this season. So there is a lot to think about.”
Kirkcaldy-born Macphee recently spent time working in India alongside the country’s football association and came to the attention of Pune officials.
Former Rangers manager Paul Le Guen is also thought to be on Pune’s short-list.
Macphee, who is also part of Northern Ireland manager Michael O’neill’s backroom team, moved to the Tyne castle club in December 2016 as Ian Cathro’ s No 2, with the pair both signing three-and-a-half year contracts. He was then kept on by the club when Cathro was sacked in August 2017, and has since assisted manager Craig Levein.
Pu ne finished fourth in last season’s Super League, which runs from November to March, before losing in the title play-off semi-finals.
Former Aston Villa boss John Gregory is in charge of current champions Chenn aiyin,e x-Reading manager Steve Copp ell is with ATK,w hi leone-time England goal keeper David James is at the helm of Kerala Blasters.