Former Hearts manager Daniel Stendel nearing a return to football

Former Hearts manager Daniel Stendel is nearing a return to football as a coach at French side Nancy.

Former Hearts manager Daniel Stendel. Picture: SNS

The Ligue 2 side are owned by Chinese businessman Chien Lee, who also owns Stendel’s former club Barnsley. He would join Jean-Louis Garcia’s staff until at least the end of the season.

The German has been kicking his heels since being relieved of his duties at Tynecastle in June last summer.

Having failed to save Hearts from dropping into the Championship, a clause was activated which cancelled his contract, allowing Hearts to easily bin the 46-year-old in favour of bringing Robbie Neilson back to the club.

Hearts would later apologise to the coach for the lack of communication over his sacking. Stendel had previously agreed to waive his wages when the coronavirus pandemic shut down Scottish football.

Stendel said of his prospective new side: "Nancy are an interesting club. All I can say is you will have to wait and see what's happening."

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