Former England boss Steve McClaren insists he is STILL interested in being Hearts boss after snubbing coaching consultant’s role with Maccabi Tel Aviv
The hugely experienced 56-year-old has performed a shock U-turn and is now back in the running for the Tynecastle vacancy.
STEVE McCLAREN last night insisted he is STILL interested in being Hearts boss.
The former England boss has performed a shock U-turn and snubbed a coaching consultant’s role with Maccabi Tel Aviv alongside sporting director Jordi Cruyff.
Now the hugely experienced 56- year-old is back in the running for the Tynecastle vacancy.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s former Manchester United No 2 told SunSport: “I am not committed to going anywhere.
“I’m still an out of work manager looking to get back into the game.
“I’m open-minded as regards any offers that come my way.”
Jambos owner Ann Budge has already started interviews, with former club heroes Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley among those who have pitched for the position, and she intends meeting other candidates over the next week.
Director of football Craig Levein is believed to have a good relationship with McClaren, who last week was regarded as favourite to replace the sacked Ian Cathro — ironically, on McClaren’s coaching staff when he was Newcastle boss.
McClaren, who has also bossed Middlesbrough, Twente Enschede, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and Derby County, refused to speak directly on the Hearts situation but is understood to have made his interest clear to the Jambos hierarchy.
SunSport understands he is well aware of the club’s situation and their timescale of making a permanent appointment by August 26 when they face Motherwell at Fir Park.
McClaren is monitoring developments and is ready to head north for formal discussions.
Meanwhile, striker Isma Goncalves will make a personal plea to disciplinary chiefs at Hampden today.
Jambos have appealed the striker’s weekend red card at Kilmarnock and Goncalves will be there in person to put his case.
The 26-year-old saw red for allegedly lashing out at Killie’s Kirk Broadfoot when the defender — also given his marching orders — hauled him to the ground and pulled his hair.
Hearts will also send No2 Austin MacPhee to the Hampden hearing and are confident referee Stephen Finnie’s decision will be overturned.
That would allow Goncalves to line up against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.
However, if the appeal fails he will miss both that game and the trip to Motherwell.
