Hearts appoint Neil Critchley as new boss 3 weeks after Stevie Naismith sacking
The former Blackpool and QPR manager faces tough start as he bids to revive Jambos
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
The wait is over for Hearts fans as the club’s announced that Neil Critchley is to take over as boss, replacing Stevie Naismith who was sacked three weeks ago.
The 45-year-old is tasked with turning around a disastrous season with the Jambos bottom of the Premiership and knocked out of the League Cup and Europa League.
And he’s facing a quick-fire start with St Mirren on Saturday at Tynecastle followed by their second Conference League group clash against Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia and then the first Edinburgh derby of the season.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew McKinlay told the Official Hearts Website; “I’m very happy to be able to welcome Neil to Hearts.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact that analytics has guided our search for a new manager, and that data presented us with many top quality options including Neil.
“During the interview process, we got the opportunity to hear from applicants and get a better understanding of them as people and in particular how they have dealt with and learnt from particular situations both positive and negative in their careers.
“In addition, we were able to ascertain who would fit best into our new model going forward which includes the use of analytics for recruitment and the appointment of a new Sporting Director with very clear ideas of what we need to do to succeed. This was a vital part of our deliberations as any appointment has to be fully bought into this to ensure that we have the maximum chance of success.
“Following these discussions, it became very clear who the standout candidates were.
“Neil understands well what we are looking to do, has experience at big club environments, none more so than at Liverpool, and is an ambitious coach with a desire to lead his teams to the top.
“Everyone at Hearts is looking forward to Neil getting to work and I’m sure our supporters will give him a warm welcome when we play St Mirren on Saturday, and continue their unrivalled backing of the team.”
Incoming Sporting Director Graeme Jones said: “I have been privileged enough to be involved in this process ahead of officially commencing my role as Sporting Director at Hearts, and I have been impressed at how robust and concise it has been.
“Our analytics partners, who have an extremely good track record of managerial appointments in the UK and abroad, worked with us to provide a shortlist of compelling and contrasting options, which through interviews and negotiations have led us to today’s announcement.
“Neil was the outstanding candidate based on the analytics, and having spoken with him at length I believe he is who we need to provide success as the club prepares to enter a new, exciting era.
“For Neil to succeed he, like anyone, will need the right environment and I will work closely with him to provide that environment.”
Hearts had been in discussions with former Norway national team boss Per-Mathias Hogmo, but negotiations seemingly broke down over salary.
They then turned to former Blackpool and QPR boss Critchley, who had already been high on their shortlist, with the assistance of Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics.
Critchley’s been out of work since August when he was fired by Blackpool after a poor start to the season.
In his first spell at Boomfield road in 2020/21, though, he won them promotion to the Championship through the play-offs and then kept them there.
He had moved to the Seasiders after a highly successful period with Liverpool’s academy system. He ran the under-18s and then the under-23 side, feeding the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones to the first team.
It was there where he was close to Steven Gerrard who hired him as his assistant at Aston Villa in 2022. Critchley lost his job when Gerrard was fired and became boss of Queen’s Park Rangers, coincidentally replacing the previous Villa No2 Michael Beale who left to take over Rangers.
Critchley only claimed victory once in 12 matches and was fired by the London club.
However, he is one of only a handful of British coaches to hold UEFA’s elite licence and Hearts have decided he is the man to revive their fortunes.