7 next Hearts algorithm manager candidates from around the globe as supercomputer throws up glam and grit

Andrew McKinlay's heart might be in the right place - even if his Hearts most certainly aren't. But it’s where the Tynecastle CEO’s head is at which is troubling Jambos fans desperate for a pointer to where the club is heading for their next boss.

Should McKinlay get this one wrong then it could very well be his noggin on the chopping block. The Gorgie supremo wanted to give the punters answers and chose club media to address some of the big issues facing him and the club three days after pulling the trigger on Steven Naismith with the club rock bottom of the Premiership.

Without naming Tony Bloom’s Starlizard analytics tool directly, McKinlay confirmed that a data company will play a key role in identifying the next permanent boss. Of course, that will be Brighton owner Bloom’s tried and tested system. But who might the supercomputer throw up to go alongside the more obvious names to replace Naismith?

Record Sport created our own digi algorithm to dig out seven potential candidates from across world football that could make it onto McKinlay’s short list.

Bio - Former Hoffenheim academy coach Rapp assumed legend status at German shocktroops Holstein Kiel after leading them into the Bundesliga for the first time in their history in May. After spending his playing career in the lower leagues Rapp moved into coaching at Hoffenheim taking caretaker charge of the club in 2020 before moving onto his current club a year later.

Year on year progress saw Rapp lift Kiel from 15th in Bundesliga 2 to a ninth-placed finish, then eighth before last season’s stunning promotion into the top flight finishing just a point behind St Pauli who’s manager Fabian Hurzeler has since moved to Bloom’s Brighton. Currently under contract until