Derek McInnes' Hearts exit imminent with coaching staff to follow after Rangers confirmation
Red Bull Salzburg confirm Rohl’s arrival in Austria
Derek McInnes’ Hearts exit is imminent following Danny Rohl’s appointment as Red Bull Salzburg’s new head coach. Rohl left Rangers by mutual agreement and McInnes has agreed a three-year contract to replace him. That move is expected to be announced before the end of the week.
Rohl is taking Rangers’ first-team performance manager Sascha Lense and first-team analyst Tristan Steiner with him to Austria. McInnes intends to take his Hearts assistants, Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald, to Ibrox in time for pre-season training starting. Sheerin and Archibald are in talks about leaving Edinburgh for Glasgow at the moment.
Announcing Rohl’s departure, the Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh commented: “I’d like to thank Danny for his service and commitment to Rangers. He and his staff put in a significant amount of hard work during his time in charge, which we are greatly appreciative of. We wish them the best of luck moving forward.” A club statement added: “A further update from the club on the vacant position will follow in due course.”
Rangers players are due to report for the start of pre-season preparations on 22 June and McInnes is expected to be in place by then. He signed a four-year contract upon joining Hearts from Kilmarnock last summer, but Rangers will pay a six-figure compensation fee to free him from that agreement. The figure is understood to be in the region of £700,000.
Hearts are already working to identify his replacement and are holding talks with potential new managers this week. They have received several recommendations from recruitment partner Jamestown Analytics and are now in discussions to determine who should take the reins from McInnes.
Most of the Tynecastle first-team squad are scheduled to report back to Riccarton for testing on 25 June. They will then travel to Spain for a week-long training camp four days later. Hearts officials are hoping to have their new head coach appointed by then so he can oversee the trip.
Several players have already left the Edinburgh club following the end of the season last month. Midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof’s departure on loan to Perth Glory is the latest change to a squad which is undergoing something of a mini overhaul. Captain Lawrence Shankland invoked a clause in his three-year contract to join Rangers for free in a controversial move, and other established faces have also moved on. Midfielder Beni Baningime, defenders Frankie Kent and Lewis Neilson, plus winger Alan Forrest have all left Tynecastle after their contracts were not renewed.
Hearts have already signed four new players - wingers Josh McPake and Calvin Miller, defender MJ Kamson-Kamara and forward Amadou Ba-Sy. Midfielder Tom Renaud and defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott are due to follow. There will be other new arrivals to come once the new head coach is named.