Steven Naismith: Hearts sack head coach after eight successive defeats

Hearts have sacked head coach Steven Naismith following a run of eight successive defeats, with CEO Andrew McKinlay saying there was “little evidence of any potential upturn in fortunes”.

Assistants Gordon Forrest and Frankie McAvoy have also been dismissed, with Hearts B team head coach Liam Fox appointed interim manager.

Former Scotland forward Naismith, 38, first took charge in April 2023, initially on a caretaker basis, and steered the Edinburgh club to third in the Scottish Premiership last season.

Hearts are currently bottom of the league, with just one point from their opening six outings.

They were knocked out of the League Cup by Championship side Falkirk and dropped into the Conference League after losing both legs of their Europa League play-off against Viktoria Plzen.

In August, Naismith and his backroom team agreed new contracts running to 2026.

Confirming the “difficult decision” to dismiss the management team, McKinlay said it is “clear for all to see that things are not working this season”.

He added: “They worked tirelessly in their roles and without them we would not have enjoyed the successes of last season.

“However, things can change quickly, particularly in football. Results and performances have fallen below the standards expected at this football club and, unfortunately, there is little evidence of any potential upturn in fortunes.

“With our Conference League campaign about to commence, and the spotlight on our league position, we cannot afford to stand still.”

Naismith, who ended his playing career at Tynecastle, was promoted from B team boss when Robbie Neilson was sacked.

He did enough to earn the job on a permanent basis in June 2023.

However, the pressure has been building amid a wretched start to the season. Travelling Hearts fans called for Naismith’s sacking in Paisley after Saturday’s 2-1 loss at St Mirren.

Following that defeat, which proved to be Naismith’s last match in charge, he insisted he could still turn things around but was “realistic” about potential consequences of the losing run.