Neil Critchley: Hearts appoint former Blackpool boss as Steven Naismith's replacement
Hearts have named Neil Critchley as their new head coach, even as the team finds itself at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership standings.
The Tynecastle Park team was on the lookout for someone to replace Steven Naismith after he was let go following last month's loss to St Mirren in the league.
Temporary manager Liam Fox led Hearts to a victory in the Conference League over Dinamo Minsk, but they suffered a last-minute loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Critchley, who served as an assistant to former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, has been unemployed since being dismissed by Blackpool in August.
The 45-year-old moved from the Seasiders to reunite with Gerrard at Villa Park, had a short stint as the manager of QPR, and then came back to Bloomfield Road for a second time.
He will make his debut as the head coach of Hearts at home against St Mirren this Saturday, followed by a match in the Conference League against Omonia Nicosia on October 24.
Critchley will lead his new team to Easter Road on October 27 to compete against their Edinburgh rivals, Hibernian, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Jambos sit at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just two points and are still on the hunt for their first victory of the season in the league.
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Reasons Behind Hearts Hiring Critchley
Hearts’ CEO, Andrew McKinlay:
"We've been open about how analytics have played a crucial role in our search for a new manager. The data revealed several high-caliber candidates, with Neil being one of them."
Throughout the interview process, we had the chance to listen to the candidates and gain insight into who they are as individuals. We particularly focused on how they have navigated and learned from various experiences, both good and bad, throughout their careers.
Moreover, we identified the ideal candidates for our new approach, which emphasizes using analytics in our recruitment process. We also plan to hire a new sporting director who has a clear vision of what we need to achieve success. This was a crucial aspect of our discussions because it’s essential that anyone we bring on board fully embraces this strategy to maximize our chances for success.
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After these conversations, it was evident who the top candidates were. Neil has a solid grasp of our objectives, brings substantial experience from high-profile clubs, particularly Liverpool, and shows a strong ambition to guide his teams to success.
"Everyone at Hearts is excited to see Neil start his role, and I have no doubt that our fans will greet him with enthusiasm when we face St Mirren on Saturday, while also continuing their exceptional support for the team."
Incoming Hearts sporting director, Graeme Jones:
I've been fortunate to participate in this process even before starting my official role as sporting director at Hearts, and I've been struck by how solid and clear it has been.
"Our analytics partners, known for their excellent success in leadership placements both in the UK and internationally, collaborated with us to create a shortlist of strong and diverse candidates. Through interviews and discussions, we have arrived at the decision we are announcing today."
"Based on the analysis, Neil emerged as the top choice. After having an in-depth conversation with him, I truly believe he is the right person to lead us into a successful chapter as the club gears up for an exhilarating new phase."
For Neil to thrive, just like anyone else, he requires a supportive setting. I will collaborate closely with him to create that ideal atmosphere.
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