Hearts make history as Shelley Kerr becomes technical development manager
The former Scotland women's boss is the first female to land such a role in Scottish football
Last updated 27th Nov 2024
Hearts have made a bit of history by appointing Shelley Kerr as their first technical development manager.
The former Scotland women's coach will become the first female to hold such a role in Scottish football and will work with male players trying to make the first team
As part of her remit, she will also assist new B Team Head Coach Angus Beith.
She led the Scotland Women’s National Team to the 2019 FIFA World Cup during her three years in charge and earned 59 caps as a player for the national team.
Kerr became the first female manager in the senior men’s game when she took charge of Stirling University in the Scottish Lowland Football League.
Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones said: “Shelley’s extensive experience and skill set is ideally suited to this new role at the club and I look forward to working with her to harness the development pathway leading to the first team.
Wide-ranging remit
“She will support Angus from a coaching perspective with the B Team but her remit will be far more wide-ranging, from 18s through to B Team.
“She will have an overview of the talent pipeline – of coaches as well as players – but fundamentally the job of Technical Development Manager is to make the route towards the first team clearer for those on the journey.
“As well as her coaching experience and UEFA Pro Licence, what made Shelley stand out was the work undertaken with the English FA in taking the principle of a high-performance environment and implementing key physical, tactical and technical strategies and objectives.”
Shelley Kerr: “Firstly, I would like to thank Graeme, the football department and the board at Heart of Midlothian for the opportunity to work in such an important role at the club.
“I am fortunate to have undertaken a variety of leadership roles across men’s and women’s football since I retired as a player and I am excited to bring the accumulation of that knowledge and experience to Heart of Midlothian”
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