With the dust still settling on another rollercoaster season at Tynecastle, Hearts find themselves at a familiar crossroads. Big club, big expectations, and once again, a big decision to make over who leads them into the next chapter. Amid all the noise and speculation, one name stands out as a sensible, stabilising option: Derek McInnes.
He might not be the most glamorous choice, but McInnes could be exactly what Hearts need right now. The club has lofty ambitions, no doubt – continual European qualification, being a consistent challenger for domestic cups, and one day, perhaps, splitting Celtic and Rangers. However, ambition without structure is just noise, and if there’s one thing McInnes brings to the table, it’s structure.
Look at what he achieved at Aberdeen. Over eight years at Pittodrie, he turned a sleeping giant into the best of the rest, won the Scottish League Cup in 2014 while consistently finishing second behind Celtic for a number of years and delivering regular European qualification. His teams were organised, hard to beat, and always competitive. He gave Aberdeen an identity and, crucially, stability – something Hearts have sorely lacked in recent years.
More recently, his work at Kilmarnock has deserves recognition. He took over a club in freefall culminating in relegation to the Scottish Championship under Tommy Wright.
Since taking over in January 2022, he took Killie from 4th in the Championship to promotion at the first time of asking, and has since made them a tough, disciplined Premiership side again.
Hearts don’t need another managerial gamble. What they need is a solid foundation. There’s talk at Tynecastle of long-term visions and closer links to Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s Jamestown analytical approach. That all sounds exciting, but before you start implementing a long term plan, you need a solid base.
McInnes is the kind of manager who can provide that. He knows the league inside out, knows what it takes to finish in the top three, and won’t be fazed by the pressure that comes with the Tynecastle job.
The long-term vision might still be a more progressive, perhaps continental-style manager guided by data and forward-thinking recruitment. But to get there, Hearts first need a period of calm and consistency. They need someone to steady the ship, build a resilient squad, and lay the groundwork for something more ambitious down the line.
Derek McInnes might not be seen as the most glamorous appointment, but he might just be the pragmatic appointment that the Jambos need right now.
Featured image: CM Football Writing
Callum McFadden 