Former Hibs coach explains why he turned down chance to become Hearts manager

Tynecastle club wanted to speak to Derek Adams about becoming Craig Levein's successor

Derek Adams has revealed why he turned down the chance to become next manager of Hearts.

The former Ross County manager and Hibs assistant was on a shortlist of coaches that owner Ann Budge wanted to speak to about replacing Craig Levein.

The Tynecastle side reached out to Adams about coming up for an interview, but the 44-year-old knocked it back as he had already agreed to join League Two Morecambe.

Former Ross County manager Derek Adams. Picture: SNS

He told the Daily Record: “Ironically, I was offered an interview there the day I was down at Morecambe signing my contract. Hearts are such a big club and it was appealing but I had already given my word to Morecambe that I was going to take their manager’s job.

“The owners and chairman at Morecambe are very good people and they were giving me the opportunity to manage again in England which was a big thing for me.

“It wouldn’t have looked good on myself to walk out of Morecambe for an interview at Hearts.

“I know that I made the right decision.”

The job would eventually go to former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.