Heart of Midlothian have confirmed that head coach Derek McInnes has left the club to become the new manager of Rangers.

The 55-year-old departs Tynecastle after one season in charge, having led Hearts to a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership and qualification for the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.

Hearts announced that they had reached an agreement with Rangers regarding compensation, bringing an end to McInnes’ tenure in Edinburgh. The move sees the former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager return to Ibrox, where he spent five years as a player between 1995 and 2000.

McInnes was appointed Hearts head coach in May 2025 and quickly made an impact, guiding the club back into contention at the top end of Scottish football.

In a statement, Hearts thanked McInnes for his contribution during his time at the club and wished him success in the next stage of his career.

The Edinburgh side also announced that Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald will depart the club with McInnes.

The departure leaves Hearts searching for a new head coach ahead of a crucial summer, with preparations already underway for the 2026/27 campaign and upcoming Champions League qualifiers.

McInnes now takes over at Rangers as the club begins a new chapter under fresh leadership. His appointment comes following the departure of Danny Röhl and sees one of Scotland’s most experienced managers return to Ibrox in a managerial capacity for the first time.

Attention will now turn to who Hearts appoint as McInnes’ successor, with the Edinburgh club facing an important period as they look to build on the progress made last season and prepare for the challenges of domestic and European competition.