Sebastien Pocognoli 'favourite' to replace Derek McInnes at Hearts, 'he's the one that I'm hearing'

Sebastien Pocognoli is currently the leading candidate to replace Derek McInnes and become Hearts' next manager.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has heard that the Monaco boss is in line to take the reins at Tynecastle.

This comes amid the news that Rangers are on the verge of finalising a deal to name Jambos boss Derek McInnes as their next manager.

Wyness expects Pocognoli to be the man to lead the Edinburgh outfit into the next phase of their project, and feels that he is already the top option.

The Monaco boss is well-known to Hearts supremo Tony Bloom from his time at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, where he also holds shares.

The 38-year-old notably led them to their first Belgian title in 90 years at the end of his first campaign in charge back in 2024-25.

Keith Wyness expects outside candidate for Hearts' next boss

Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Bloom will hand the reins to an outside candidate for Hearts' next appointment.

Former Norwich City and Huddersfield boss David Wagner is an early favourite in the eyes of the bookmakers, but Wyness is in no doubt that he won't be given the job.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, the Scottish businessman emphasised that Pocognoli is the man who is currently attracting the most interest.

"Tony Bloom will always surprise you, and the Jamestown Analytics algorithm will churn out a name," Wyness said.

"The one that I'm hearing right now is Pocognoli, I think he may be the favourite to come to Hearts. That's the name I'm hearing. I don't think it'll be David Wagner; I expect it'll be a name that most people may not have heard of.

"Jamestown will surprise us; they'll do it right. Hearts is a fascinating story and the McInnes blow is certainly something that is a shame for them, but now they've got a chance to kick on again and reinvent themselves totally.

"Jamestown Analytics look very closely at the personality of the manager as much as anything else, rather than just tactics. And that's going to be a key factor."

Hearts eyeing summer move for Bournemouth star

Football Insider revealed earlier in June that Bournemouth midfielder Ben Winterburn is a clear target for Hearts this summer.

The Jambos are looking to add quality to their group after narrowly missing out on the Scottish Premiership title, and they have identified the 21-year-old as a promising talent.

Winterburn is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the Vitality Stadium, and has already represented his boyhood club at senior level on seven occasions.

He spent last season on loan in the English League Two with Barnet, but could yet be playing his football at Tynecastle next term.