Neil McCann is in the running to become the next manager of Hearts.
Daniel Stendel hasn’t been near Tynecastle since football went into Lockdown with various reports about the conditions of his contract in the event of the club being relegated.
The German was unable to turn around a dreadful season at Tynecastle but did manage to record two memorable wins over Steven Gerrard and a derby win success at Easter Road.
With relegation confirmed to the Championship and the first team squad stripped bare Ann Budge is looking for her fourth manager in a year with McCann positioning himself favourably to return to the dug out.
Using his media position the former Dundee boss has been sympathetic to Budge of almost all issues with the Daily Record highlighting his interest in taking over from Stendel.
Record Sport understands former Dundee boss Neil McCann is towards the top of a list of potential replacements should Hearts be on the hunt for a new manager.
Budge is a big admirer of the former Hearts and Rangers winger, who remains a favourite in Gorgie for his role in the historic 1998 Scottish Cup triumph.
McCann was in the frame to replace Craig Levein last November and was interviewed along with several others. The 45-year-old is said to have impressed Budge, although she opted to appoint Stendel after a lengthy recruitment process.
McCann previously said anyone would have to be “off their head” not to want the job, and it’s unlikely he’d be any less keen now.
However, Stendel’s departure isn’t confirmed yet and might not be for a while as Budge focuses on the search for a sporting director.
McCann has been out of management since being sacked by Dundee in October 2018 after 18 months in charge.
During his time at Dens Park he had a spectacular fall-out with Scott Bain, after banishing the keeper to train with the youth side Bain went on loan to Celtic, making an impressive debut in the 3-2 derby win at Ibrox in March 2018 before earning a four year contract as a free agent.
