Bloom’s company to lead the search for new Hearts manager in wake of Naismith’s Tynecastle exit

TONY BLOOM’S data company Jamestown Analytics will lead the search for a new Hearts manager after a disastrous start to the season led to the sacking of Steven Naismith.

The 38-year-old was sacked after St Mirren sent the Gorgie club to a fifth straight SPFL Premiership defeat.

The Tynecastle side are bottom of the table and are still without a win after six games. They were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Championship club Falkirk, before being knocked out of the Europa League by Viktoria Plzen.

Hearts’ board met on Saturday night to decide Naismith’s fate. Mail Sport understands that the search for a new boss will be conducted through a new partnership with Jamestown Analytics, the data company run by Brighton chairman Bloom that describes itself as a “world leader” in player and head coach recruitment.

This summer, the English Premier League club signed 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler from German St Pauli as Roberto De Zerbi’s successor. Bloom’s use of data has also changed the fortunes of Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, where he is a minority shareholder.

Discussions have taken place over a £10m investment, which would see Bloom become a minority shareholder in Tynecastle, subject to the approval of majority shareholders Foundation of Hearts.

Steven Naismith was relieved of his duties after a disastrous start to the campaign

Although no formal agreement has yet been signed, the first phase of the partnership will see Hearts work with football and cricket data specialists to find a manager who is unlikely to be familiar with the Scottish Premier League vacancies.

Hearts confirmed Naismith’s departure in a statement, while chief executive Andrew McKinlay also confirmed the departures of coaches Gordon Forrest and Frankie McAvoy, who secured a third-place finish last season and guaranteed European football.

“Without them we wouldn’t have enjoyed the successes of last season,” McKinlay said. “But things can change quickly, especially in football, and it’s clear to everyone that things aren’t working this season.

‘The results and performances are below the level that can be expected from this football club and unfortunately there is little evidence of a possible improvement in the situation.

Hearts’ 2-1 defeat at St Mirren on Saturday was the club’s eighth straight defeat

‘With our UEFA Conference League campaign about to begin and the spotlight on our position in the competition, we cannot afford to stand still. That is why we as a board have taken the difficult decision to part ways with the management team who thank us and send our best wishes.

‘We will update supporters on the next steps in both the short and long term shortly, but the club will not be commenting further for the time being.’

Former Dundee United manager Liam Fox, currently in charge of Hearts’ B team, has been appointed interim manager to oversee first-team affairs alongside Lee Wallace and Angus Beith.