Alan Irvine is a contender to become Hearts’ new manager or sporting director.
Record Sport understands the club interviewed the 61-year-old last week after being recommended by striker Steven Naismith .
Irvine worked with the Scotland international at both Everton and Norwich City, where he was assistant and caretaker manager respectively. He most recently assisted David Moyes at West Ham.
The former Queen’s Park and Dundee United player has had spells managing Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion.
However, Irvine also has experience behind the scenes as well, having served as academy director at both Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
That, combined with a wealth of experience and contacts, could make him well suited to the sporting director role.
Hearts are seeking to fill both positions, with the sporting director charged with going out and getting in the players the head coach wants.
The club initially planned on appointing a sporting director first, although priorities have shifted with several interviews taking place with applicants for the manager’s job last week
Former Rangers and Motherwell boss Stuart McCall, along with ex-Hearts winger Neil McCann were part of the first phase of interviews.
Owner Ann Budge is now turning her attention to candidates currently at other clubs, and those who have recently left jobs but still face contractual issues.
