Derek McInnes won't take charge of Kilmarnock for final match against Hearts

Kilmarnock have announced that Derek McInnes will not take charge of the team for their match against Hearts this weekend, with agreement reached between the clubs for the manager to move to Tynecastle.

Talks earlier this week paved the way for the manager to become Hearts’ new head coach, with compensation agreed for McInnes, who was under contract at Rugby Park until 2027.

However, McInnes remained in charge for the midweek defeat at Motherwell, with some of the club’s support singing anti-Hearts songs as well as chants directed at the manager.

Kilmarnock have now confirmed that after discussions with the management team, it’s been agreed that the 53-year-old will not be in the dugout for Sunday’s match against what is near certain to be his next club.

A club statement read: “It has been agreed between our board of directors, Derek McInnes and his staff that the best approach would be if they were not in charge for the final match of the season.

“Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald will also not be involved – first team preparation and matchday duties will be undertaken by Chris Burke and Craig Clark.

“We look forward to seeing the blue and white army out in force this weekend as we give the players the send off they deserve.

“More information will follow in due course.”

Following the defeat at Motherwell, McInnes didn’t speak to the media but assistant Paul Sheerin said coping well with a “horrible situation”.

“It’s just a horrible situation the way it fell,” Sheerin said. “The timing of it, he can’t get away from that, but I think he’s dealt with it brilliantly. He’ll continue to do that until things change, I’m sure he will.”

Responding to the chants directed at the manager, Sheerin added: “It’s disappointing, but fans will be fans. It’s one of those things, I think it’s sometimes expected.

“I’m biased, I think he deserves a lot better, but that’s easy for me to sit here and say.

“He’ll be gutted by it, I know he’ll be gutted by it, because he has given his all to the club.

“Unfortunately, football moves on and things happen in the game. You get opportunities and they’re too difficult to turn down sometimes.

“As much as he’ll be disappointed with it, he knows what he’s done for this club. It’s been nothing short of incredible to get them where they are.

“We’re all frustrated with this season. We all wanted to be in the mix again for Europe, but for different reasons that’s not happened. But he’s done brilliant here, he really has.”

Former St Johnstone, Bristol City, and Aberdeen boss McInnes was appointed Killie manager in January 2022.

That year, he secured the club’s promotion from the Championship to the top flight.

Last season, McInnes guided the Rugby Park side to fourth spot, with Kilmarnock qualifying for Europe for the first time since 2011.

This season, the team missed out on the top six but secured safety with two games to spare after defeating Dundee last weekend.

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