Austin MacPhee could switch to a role within the Scottish FA, Sky sources understand

Northern Ireland coach Austin MacPhee is weighing up an offer to become performance director at the Scottish Football Association, Sky sources understand.

MacPhee has also been offered the chance to become assistant to prospective incoming Hearts head coach Ian Cathro, while LA Galaxy are believed to be keen to bring him to the United States.

The SFA role would require MacPhee to give up his current job as assistant coach to Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill and focus solely on overseeing all Scottish football from U16s up, along with implementing a long-term strategy for the association.

Newcastle United assistant head coach Ian Cathro is Hearts' top target to replace Robbie Neilson

The Hearts job would enable the former Cowdenbeath and St Mirren coach to take on both club and country commitments, as Northern Ireland attempt to build on an impressive start to World Cup qualifying.

MacPhee was promoted to his Northern Ireland role by O'Neill, who has been instrumental in transforming football there, guiding the country to their first European Championships in October last year.

The SFA have refused to comment on whether MacPhee has been offered the job of performance director, though sources within the association have indicated the process of identifying a replacement for Brian McClair, who left the role in July, is not yet complete.

Gordon Strachan received 'unanimous' support from the SFA following a poor start to World Cup qualifying, which has seen a return of four points from four matches.

Hearts have identified 30-year-old Newcastle assistant Cathro, who worked under Hearts director of football Craig Levein at Dundee United, as their top target to replace Robbie Neilson.

The club hope to name a new coaching team within the next 48 hours, in time to prepare for Saturday's visit to face Rangers at Ibrox.

MacPhee was present at Tynecastle last Wednesday for Neilson's final match in charge, before he left for MK Dons, as Hearts beat Rangers 2-0, and is also believed to have taken in Rangers' 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox on Saturday.

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