The chances of Austin MacPhee joining outgoing Nothern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill at Stoke City have reduced after the club confirmed the appointment of Billy McKinlay as their new assistant manager.
MacPhee is currently in interim charge of Hearts after Craig Levein ’s departure and is a key member of O'Neill's international backroom staff.
Speculation linked MacPhee with a possible move to the Potters after O’Neill accepted an offer to replace previous incumbent Nathan Jones.
However, O’Neill has plumped for his former Dundee United teammate. He said: "I've seen Billy work at both club and international level and I know that he's an excellent coach who I believe is a great fit for us."
McKinlay’s appointment would suggest MacPhee is now more likely to remain at Hearts , although for how long depends on their own recruitment process.
The 40-year-old will remain in temporary charge for the weekend visit to Kilmarnock, although remains a candidate for both the managerial and sporting director vacancies at Tynecastle.
Reports suggest that MacPhee is more likely to land the former rather than the latter, with former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel emerging as the new bookies' favourite to be installed as manager.
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