Hearts interview former Man Utd and Feyenoord coach for their vacant manager's job
René Hake is in the frame for the Tynecastle head coach role
Hearts have interviewed former Manchester United and Feyenoord coach René Hake for the head coach vacancy at Tynecastle Park. The 54-year-old Dutchman is a contender to replace Derek McInnes after meeting with senior officials from the Edinburgh club this week.
McInnes completed his switch from Hearts to Rangers on Wednesday after agreeing terms on a three-year contract. Assistant coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald have followed him to Glasgow, leaving Hearts seeking an entirely new management team. Hake is one of several candidates being interviewed to potentially take over.
He is out of work after leaving his role as assistant to Robin van Persie at Feyenoord at the end of the season. He held talks with Leicester City regarding their manager’s job before they appointed Russell Martin. Hake previously worked as an assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, and was also on the coaching staff at FC Zwolle and FC Twente. He has occupied head coach positions at Dutch clubs FC Emmen, Twente, Cambuur, FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles.
Hake’s coaching style focuses on technique and discipline, based around a flexible 4-3-3 system. He is keen to work as a head coach again and is attracted by the possibility of succeeding McInnes at Hearts. The Edinburgh club enter the Champions League second qualifying round next month against Sturm Graz and plan to mount another Premiership title challenge next season after running Celtic close last month.
Tynecastle officials are hopeful of finalising their next head coach within the next week. Ideally, they want the new man in place for players returning to Riccarton next Thursday, 25 June, and are working to that timescale. Several other interviews are taking place this week after the club’s recruitment partner, Jamestown Analytics, put forward both British and foreign recommendations for the position.
Hearts issued a statement outlining their plans on Wednesday as they confirmed McInnes’ departure for Rangers. In it, they explained to supporters that they are determined to move forward and remain ambitious. “The club’s ambitions, direction and commitment to success remain unchanged,” read part of the statement. “Our progress has been driven by a clear strategy, significant investment, and strong foundations that extend far beyond any one individual. Those foundations remain firmly in place and provide the platform for the next phase of our development.
“Succession planning is a continuous process and preparations for this eventuality have already been undertaken. A number of candidates have been identified and the process of appointing a new head coach has already begun, with the aim of making the right appointment as swiftly as possible.
“This remains an exciting period for Heart of Midlothian. The club is in a strong position, and we are focused on building on the progress achieved to date. We are committed to appointing a head coach who can drive further improvement, and help deliver the success our supporters expect and deserve. Everyone at Heart of Midlothian remains fully focused on the work ahead and on ensuring the club is in the strongest possible position to achieve its long-term ambitions. There will be no further comment until a new appointment has been made.”
The next Hearts manager will inherit a squad undergoing some transition. Captain Lawrence Shankland, midfielder Beni Baningime, defenders Frankie Kent and Lewis Neilson, plus winger Alan Forrest, have all left since the end of the season. Midfielder Cammy Devlin is out of contract and yet to decide his future, while fellow Australian Calem Nieuwenhof joined Perth Glory on a season-long loan.
Some replacements are in place already. Hearts have completed the signings of Scottish wingers Josh McPake and Calvin Miller, plus English defender MJ Kamson-Kamara and French forward Amadou Ba-Sy this summer. They also have an agreement in place with French midfielder Tom Renaud. English centre-back Malachi Fagan-Walcott should complete his move to Tynecastle imminently after undergoing a medical.