Image source, PA MediaGareth Ainsworth left QPR in October
Former Queens Park Rangers boss Gareth Ainsworth has applied for the Hearts manager's job and is keen on a move to Tynecastle. (Record), external
Hearts right-back Gerald Taylor, 23, left training on Wednesday on crutches and could miss the club's next three matches. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external
Image source, SNSAndrew McKinlay is "absolutely focussed" on his role as chief executive of Hearts - a job he "loves" - and dismissed reports linking him to the vacant CEO position at Rangers.
The Ibrox club have been searching for James Bisgrove's successor since he announced his departure at the end of last season.
But McKinlay, who spoke with Sky Sports, external following head coach Steven Naismith's sacking, said he has had "no conversations" with Rangers, despite reports suggesting he was a possible candidate.
"I can put on record very clearly that I've had no conversations with Rangers and Rangers have had no conversations with me," McKinlay, appointed by Hearts in August 2020, said.
"There have been press reports, I have no idea where those press reports have come from, but there have been press reports about other individuals who were about to become chief executive and it didn't come to fruition.
"I have no idea what Rangers' plans are for the future. I wish them all the best in their search, but I am absolutely focused on my job with Hearts and I love my job and will give it my utmost going forward."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Although much of the attention at Tynecastle this week has been about the departure of Steven Naismith and his backroom team, the focus on Saturday will certainly be about what happens on the pitch when Ross County come calling.
Other than a strong showing against Rangers on the opening day of the Premiership campaign, a match they arguably should have won, poor performances have led to a run of eight straight defeats.
In modern day football, that's a run few would survive
The players will know themselves they have let down those who have now departed. It’s now up to those players to show the fans more than anyone else they still have what it takes to be a success at Hearts.
County will know as well, however, if they can keep Hearts at bay in the early part of the game then the atmosphere at Tynecastle could become quite toxic.
Indeed County boss Don Cowie has first-hand experience of what Tynecastle can be like, having played over 70 games for Hearts.
The next couple of weeks at Hearts could be pivotal in terms of how this campaign pans out.
On the pitch after County, it’s a long trip to Azerbaijan to face Belarusian side Dinamo Minsk. Then it's Pittodrie prior to the international break.
Results on the pitch must improve, that goes without saying, but off the field the board, with the use of Jamestown Analytics, will need to come up with the right person to take the club forward.
Image source, SNSHearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay discussed an array of subjects in an in-depth interview with club media.
Here are the key things he said...
On sacking Steven Naismith and his backroom team:
"The football over the last few weeks has been difficult. We had been hoping – the fanbase, all of us – we could turn this around but it became evident at the weekend that we just weren’t seeing signs of it turning around.
"If we lost 2-1, but had a second-half performance that was unlucky or really spirited or we just didn’t get the rub of the green, then that might’ve made me think slightly differently, but we didn’t. We had a very average second-half performance and that, unfortunately, left me in no doubt that we had to look at making a change."
On recently awarding the past management team new contracts:
"The deals that we had with Steven and his assistants were two-year deals with an option. Steven and I had conversations over the summer, particularly around his assistants more so than him, that they would be going into the final year of their deals, and if we didn’t exercise the option they would start looking for other jobs. I get that. Any one of us, if we think our job is going to finish at a finite time, would do that.
"He was keen that we didn’t have that instability among the coaching team."
On the new manager search and timeline:
"The timeline is a difficult one because I’d love to be able to bring in a manager tomorrow or as soon as possible. As long as I’m here, I would never speak to anyone else about the manager’s job until such time that there is no manager in place. You see many examples of other clubs who appear as if their process is 24-hours and suddenly a new manager appears. That’s not the way we work.
"We do, though, always have lists of people that we’re looking at, that we update and refresh on a two or three-monthly basis, and we’ve been doing that recently.
"Where we are now is that we’ve had our own lists and we’re also working with an analytics company. I can’t really say too much about who that company is, there has been a lot of press reporting recently but for commercial confidentiality reasons I can’t go into too much detail, but we are working with an analytics company."
On the role of the analytics company:
"They will be part of the process and they will have some views on some individuals and we will also feed them any individuals we think might be right and any applications we might have, and we’ve had a significant amount in the last 48 hours. "We’ve had a significant amount in the weeks previous to that, such is the nature of football. They’ll all be fed into that analytics and that will give us an idea of a ranking of managers.
"That ranking is just based on analytics, you then have to take that and look at those individuals; are they within our ability to get them, are they in current roles or not, there are various factors – will they fit into our culture, what style of football will they play, you can go on and on, and the analytics won’t give you all those answers."
On the interim management team:
"I’m thankful to Liam and his guys for stepping in at this difficult time, I think that he was the right person to bring forward.
"He understands that this is an interim period and that he’ll give it his best shot. He knows that we need to start winning games.
"He is also aware that we are looking externally for the longer term and he fully understands that and appreciates the reasons why we’re doing that."
On possible outside investment:
"Until such a time we have a deal with anyone, I can’t actually talk about who it’s with or what it would look like.
"I’ve made comments in the past about my views on multi-club ownership, and not being hugely supportive of them. I want to be clear that when I was talking about that, I was talking in the context of feeder clubs. I do not want Scotland to become a feeder league. I, and the board and Foundation of Hearts’ firm position is that we will not become a feeder club for any club elsewhere. We will not have a formal link with any other football club.
"Anything that we do would be done on the basis of there may be an individual involved, or they may not be, that has involvement with other football clubs but there will be no links between those clubs."
Former Stoke City and Sunderland boss Alex Neil is the bookmakers' favourite to be Hearts head coach ahead of St Mirren's Stephen Robinson, Vikingur's Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Falkirk's John McGlynn. (The Scotsman), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Greg Playfair
Fan writer
In the words of Nick Lowe, 'you've got to be cruel to be kind'. And that's probably the best way to look at Steven Nasmith's sacking as Hearts head coach.
Naismith had mentioned we had a similar start last season and he was able to turn it around, with two semi-final appearances in both cup competitions and comfortably securing third place in the league.
However, with just one victory from the last 15 competitive fixtures in all competitions, that isn't just relegation form, it's terminal decline and can set a team back for a few seasons if decisive action isn't taken.
Jambos will feel Naismith was afforded too much kindness and should have exited earlier - the Motherwell game cited as to when his P45 should have been handed out - but I think the defeat in Paisley was the right time to end his tenure.
In terms of what happens next, this is when the excitement starts. As has been speculated in recent days, I would expect prospective Hearts minority shareholder Tony Bloom and his data analytics company to take charge of recruitment.
One thing I would wager on is we won't see any of the usual suspects from Scottish football. I see this as an opportunity to try something different and look for a bit of a reset in terms of what we want from a Hearts manager and Hearts team.
We can see from Bloom's involvement in Brighton, they are willing to be trendsetters and go for the relatively unknown names - both in terms of coaching staff and players, and that brings a lot of intrigue.
I'll throw a name out there that's left field and I would go Henrik Rydstrom of Swedish side Malmo.
Now, once everyone has searched him and discovers he has lead Malmo to the 2023 title and is on course to do it again now, I would ask the question: 'why not?'.
Aberdeen plucked Jimmy Thelin from Elfsborg, who finished runners-up to Rydstrom’s side, when Aberdeen were quite frankly a rabble last season.
I'd argue that Hearts are in a much more attractive position on and off the pitch, and that's without Bloom's involvement.
In terms of why Rydstrom is the sort of profile we should be after - well he's had success in a comparable league and has totally transformed their playing style with something known as 'relationism', inspired by Brazilian manager Fernando Diniz and studied by Marcelo Bielsa.
It’s attacking football and he also is happy to blood younger players as well - two things Hearts supporters would favour.
Rydstrom was rumoured to be on Brighton's shortlist a few months ago before they eventually settled for Fabian Hurzeler and Bloom may want to snap him up this time before he inevitably loses out on the Swede.
There's no doubt he will cost some money to prize over to Scotland, but I think if you factor in the potential he has to make a generational impact on Scottish football, by getting us competing with the Old Firm, that's a huge lure.
The game this week versus Ross County feels like it’s had the glaring attention on it lifted following Naismith’s departure. That said, there is still pressure the players as many of them have underperformed this season.
Failure to pick up three points at home to a County side that are also struggling for form will reflect badly on this squad and might explain why Naismith wasn't able to stop the rot.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Derek McInnes "would be fantastic" for the vacant managerial position at Hearts, says former Tynecastle striker Lee Miller.
Steven Naismith was relieved of his duties as head coach after a woeful eight-game losing run, which leaves the club bottom of the Premiership.
Since being appointed Rugby Park boss, McInnes has led Killie back to the top flight and secured a fourth-placed finish last term.
His side, however, are also yet to win a league game this season and sit just a place and a point above Hearts.
"I think McInnes would be fantastic," Miller told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"They would obviously need to pay money to get him out there, but he's done a tremendous job everywhere he's been. He's turned into a real force in Scottish football.
"Yeah, Kilmarnock have not had a great start to the season, but he understands how the game works in Scotland and I think he's been very good.
"He's very good at recruiting, but the thing is he would have a really good squad to work with at Hearts if he went there."
Naismith was dismissed by Hearts following the 2-1 defeat at St Mirren on Saturday.
The former Scotland striker vowed to fight on at the club, but ex-Falkirk manager Miller suggests he knew what was coming.
"Having been a manager myself, I know how it feels," Miller added.
"Everything just gets on top of you. Everything kind of builds up. You lose your focus slightly and there's just so much pressure.
"Whether they were right or wrong, I think the pressure was building through the fans and through the lack of the results this season having not won a game."
Falkirk's Finn Yeats says he is "not surprised there is interest" in John McGlynn, with the Bairns boss linked with vacancies at St Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.
Image source, SNSSteven Naismith admits the form that led to his dismissal as Hearts head coach simply wasn't "good enough", but expressed his gratitude for being handed the opportunity to lead the club.
Naismith, 38, was originally appointed as caretaker following Robbie Neilson's departure in April 2023, before being handed the role on a permanent basis, and led Hearts to a third-place league finish last season.
However, he was sacked on Sunday after a run of eight successive defeats with Hearts bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
"I am disappointed that my time at Heart of Midlothian Football Club has come to an end," Naismith said in a statement.
"This season has been a frustrating one for a number of reasons and ultimately it just hasn't been good enough.
"When you’re at a big club with demands and expectations and you go on a bad run of form, pressure is always going to come.
"I would like to thank everyone associated with Heart of Midlothian. From my first day, I formed a strong connection with the club and all who work there, I knew, understood and appreciated the standards and demands of HMFC and this was something I constantly tried to uphold as a player and manager.
"The board put faith in me and gave me the opportunity to become a leader of the club and I am truly grateful for that."
Naismith also insists the Hearts board are "the right people to guide the club" amid some criticism of their decisions, and expects the players to "fulfil their potential" as the season goes forward.
"I fully believe that this board are the right people to guide the club – I truly believe all they want is success," he said.
"I also believe the club is very near to taking the next step and progressing to the next level continuing on the trajectory it has been on.
"In my opinion the squad of players has lots of potential, even though this season at times we have struggled to get going, I have confidence that they will fulfil their potential.
"The fans are a huge part of the football club and their work to secure control of the club is special. Hearts have many great people who follow the club every week, the desire for success is clear to see.
"I really do hope you get some special moments in the near future. Please understand the power of your support when used in the right way. Keep following and backing the players."
Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson says the decision to sack Steven Naismith was the right one, but believes the issues at Tynecastle run deeper.
Naismith was relieved of his duties on Sunday after eight straight defeats, and Stevenson believes the style of football under the former Scotland forward didn't fit what Hearts is all about.
"I don't think the DNA of Hearts was getting played," Stevenson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"Nasimith wanted to play out from the back. Especially at Tynecastle, it's a 'go get at them' type of club, but I don't blame Naismith. He had to go because of the results, but I blame the board."
Stevenson criticised the club's decision over the summer to not sign another striker to alleviate the burden on Lawrence Shankland.
The Hearts captain scored 31 goals in all competitions for the club last season, but Kenneth Vargas was next highest with just nine strikes in 42 appearances.
"The glaring issue is there is one guy who can score goals," Stevenson said. "There's a massive hole behind Shankland and Hearts did nothing to sort it.
"We needed two strikers in that window. You cannot ask one guy to score you 33 goals one year and do the same again next year. Unless you're [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi, it's pretty much impossible.
"I would love answers of who made that decision? Who made that decision to not sign any other strikers? Who made that decision not to look at any other strikers?
"Ultimately it has to fall to the board. They make these big decisions. We have a guy from the SFA in Graeme Jones who, as I'm led to believe, has no background in recruitment. So what does he come in to do?
"There's just so many questions that we could be on this podcast all night and I could rant and rave about Hearts right now. But I just think there's so many big holes."
We asked for your thoughts on Steven Naismith's sacking and who you think should come in as his replacement at Tynecastle.
Here's what you had to say:
David: Ludicrous decision. No patience in football these days. Media and so called social media have a lot to answer for, Hearts have the makings of a good team when they gel.
Jamie: We need someone with good experience. There aren’t a lot of managers without a job at the moment. We need an outsider who will come in with fresh ideas. The board needs to get this appointment correct and look for a decent name in football.
Gary: Only one choice for me for next boss and that is Derek McInnes. Hearts are a top team and need a top boss.
Bob: Hearts were right to part ways with Steven Naismith due to the recent run of embarrassing results, lack of identity and his clear inexperience as a manager. To meet the club's ambitions, they should target McInnes or Alex Neil, both of whom have the experience and tactical acumen needed to push Hearts toward top honors and European competition.
Andrew: While no Hearts supporter likes to see a manager and assistants sacked, the correct decision has been made before more loses occur. The board however should take full responsibility for Hearts position.
George: It has to be a manager with experience and a well proven track record, not jilted to Scottish football, Alex Neil fits that profile.
Chris: Naismith had a great bunch of talent at his disposal which he constantly misused with confusing formations, tactics and changes. Managers should not be cutting their teeth at Hearts, the next appointment is crucial to our season. Andrew McKinlay should follow him out the door for awarding a new deal and letting this go as long as it did.
Jockie: Hearts need to push the boat out if they are serious about mounting a challenge to the Old Firm or competing in Europe even if it is only the Conference League. David Moyes would be worth sounding out, the worst that can happen is for him to say no. With a potential investment of £10 million supposedly on the horizon, why not?
Alan: As a convert to the Naismith cause, I wasn't up for him getting the gig originally, I thought it was a great call to extend his contract. It's a mistake for those that lauded him last season to level accusations of incompetence this one. Give him the next half dozen games, not easy in the main to show he's got it in his locker to turn it around.
Image source, SNS*Includes games when Naismith was 'Hearts technical director' at the start of last season.
Former Sunderland and Stoke City manager Alex Neil is the early bookmakers' favourite to become Heart of Midlothian head coach, while Kilmarnock's Derek McInnes and St Mirren's Stephen Robinson are also among the contenders. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Listen to the episode in full here.
Image source, SNSLiam Fox will step up to become Hearts interim manager while the club searches for a successor to Steven Naismith, who was sacked as head coach on Sunday.
Fox will step up from his role as Hearts B team head coach, and will be assisted Angus Beith and Lee Wallace, starting with Saturday's Premiership match against Ross County at Tynecastle.
"The Board met today to agree a way forward, and the process of identifying and hiring a new management team has already begun," Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay said in a statement.
"In the interim, we welcome Liam, Angus and Lee to the first team and will give them all the backing they need, as I’m sure the supporters will, in order to turn around the present situation.
"Updates will be provided to supporters in due course but, in the meantime, I would ask our fans to continue their unrivalled backing of the team when we host Ross County at Tynecastle Park on Saturday as, together, we strive to take positive steps forward."
Image source, SNSFormer Hearts manager John McGlynn has backed Steven Naismith to "bounce back" from his Tynecastle dismissal.
Naismith was sacked on Sunday after an eighth successive defeat in all competitions, away to St Mirren on Saturday, having signed a new deal with the club as recently as August.
McGlynn managed Hearts himself from June 2012 to February 2013, and expressed his sympathies to Naismith.
"It's sadness for Steven," McGlynn told BBC Scotland, when asked for his reaction to the news.
"He's a young manager and he did so well when he got the caretaker job and then throughout last season.
"He's had a sticky start and I wish he could have got longer. As a fellow manager, it's not nice.
"I'm sure he's learned loads and I'm sure he will bounce back from it."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers also believes Naismith will "learn" from the setback.
"I'm always disappointed when any manager loses their job," he said.
"For Steven, he will learn from it. He had a wonderful career as a player.
"I had a similar experience when I was a young manager - I was very quickly out of the game after 20 games at Reading. It's about how you respond."
Just six weeks after extending his contract, Steven Naismith has been dismissed as Hearts head coach.
A winless start to the season - and current run of eight straight defeats - has spelled the end for the former Scotland striker, who initially took charge on an interim basis in April last year.
Have the Hearts board made the right calling in getting rid of Naismith? And who would you like to see replace him?
