Hearts Appoint Derek McInnes New Head Coach on Four-Year Deal

Derek McInnes has been appointed as the new head coach of Heart of Midlothian on a four-year contract, succeeding Neil Critchley who was dismissed after a disappointing season. McInnes, 53, joins Hearts from Kilmarnock, where he led the team to promotion to the Scottish Premiership and a fourth-place finish, securing a European campaign. He brings extensive experience from his managerial career, including successful spells at Aberdeen, where he consistently finished in the top four and won the League Cup in 2014. McInnes is accompanied by his coaching staff, Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald, who have moved with him from Kilmarnock to Tynecastle Park. Hearts hope McInnes' leadership will restore the club to a competitive position in the Scottish Premiership following a turbulent period that included two managerial changes and a finish outside the top six. The club quickly agreed compensation with Kilmarnock and completed the appointment after a three-week search for a new manager with Scottish football expertise.