Hearts to interview more sporting director candidates this week as some drop out of the running

Ann Budge is leading the interview process for Hearts' new sporting director.

Hearts will interview more people for their sporting director job this week after deciding not to proceed with some candidates.

David Weir and Adrian Bevington were both in the running but the Evening News has learned that Bevington is no longer a contender.

He carries an impressive background having worked with the English FA and Welsh FA, plus his most-recent role as head of recruitment operations at Middlesbrough.

Hearts have told him and some others that they intend to go in a different direction following initial conversations. Bevington, 48, remains interested in bringing his extensive skill set to Scottish football in some capacity.

Ann Budge, owner at Tynecastle Park, will hold further interviews for the job this week before making any decision.

Weir could be tempted by a return to Tynecastle Park, where he played more than 100 games and won the Scottish Cup in 1998.

He currently works as pathway development manager at Brighton and Hove Albion, a position which sees him monitor the club’s loan players.

Budge wants an experienced figurehead to oversee the football department at Riccarton after appointing Robbie Neilson manager last week.

The sporting director’s remit would be similar to the director of football position held by Craig Levein in recent years, with a strong focus on helping prepare youth academy players for the first team.

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