JAMESTOWN ANALYTICS are already in the building and working on Hearts signings.
Tony Bloom’s £10million investment is set to be rubber-stamped by Tynecastle fans.
4
4
4
All the Jambos need now is a new manager to steer the football side as they aim to “disrupt” Scottish football.
By all accounts, the Hearts hierarchy are keen to make a domestic appointment this time.
They want someone willing to buy into the data-led signing policy, but who also understands the unique nature of the game in Scotland.
One candidate stands out above the rest — Derek McInnes.
Stephen Robinson and John McGlynn have also been linked with the Tynecastle post, and that isn’t a surprise.
They have done phenomenal jobs at St Mirren and Falkirk, and deserve to be in the running for one of the biggest gigs in the country.
Yet I just look at McInnes and Hearts, and feel they are perfect for each other. On so many levels, he is the ideal man to take the Jambos forward.
No disrespect to my old club Kilmarnock, but he has the ability and experience to be operating at a higher level.
Del has done a terrific job at Rugby Park, taking them from the Championship into Europe.
Yet he might just be ready for a fresh challenge after his three-and-a-half years at Killie.
There will be those out there who feel Hearts should be more ambitious than looking to appoint another Premiership gaffer.
I don’t understand that stance. You surely get the guy who is best equipped to do the job.
And put it this way, if Steve Clarke quit Scotland today, who would be favourite to replace him? It would be McInnes.
Hearts need a manager with ambition, someone who can handle the pressure of being in charge of a big club.
They need a manager who understands Scottish football, and has a knack of getting the best out of players.
They also need a manager who can achieve big results against the Old Firm. McInnes ticks every box.
In the past three seasons at Killie, he has beaten Rangers and Celtic twice each.
4
That is a far better record than Hearts have against the Old Firm in the same period.
The Jambos are ready for an exciting era, and Bloom has been bullish about wanting to “disrupt” the Scottish football landscape.
But Hearts need to walk before they can run.
Right now, they are a bottom-six club operating in the shadows of their city rivals, Hibs.
That’s not a dig at my Jambos pals, it’s just the truth.
Appointing a manager who can ensure there is no repeat of this season is the No 1 priority for Ann Budge and her board.
McInnes is the man who can have Hearts challenging towards the top of the table, where they should be.
You can’t help but admire the way he revived Aberdeen when he took over in 2013.
Yet the potential at Hearts — with all of Bloom’s backing and Jamestown Analytics involved — is even greater.
They already have outstanding training facilities at the Oriam and, given time, they CAN achieve their ambitious goals.
Whoever gets the job, whether it’s McInnes or someone else — they will be taking on a very unique role.
Parameters will be set with potential signings, the head coach will have a say, but Jamestown WILL lead the recruitment.
Some managers might not want to operate in that environment, but look around the world. That’s the way football is going, and what’s to stop a more traditional boss like McInnes flourishing in that set-up?
Trust me, Brighton owner Bloom does not mess about when he takes an interest in a club.
Hearts won’t be a plaything for him. He is embarking on a plan to deliver real success. Brighton are operating in the biggest league in the world, and there are probably limits to the heights they can reach.
In terms of player-trading, they have been on another level, but it’s clearly going to be difficult to challenge the big English clubs.
Bloom’s work alongside his trusted lieutenant Alex Muzio at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium is a more realistic example of what Hearts can achieve.
They only won promotion back to the top-flight in 2021, and are now on the brink of becoming champions. USG’s rapid progress has been incredible, and the foundation of that has been Bloom and Jamestown.
Through smart recruitment, they have been able to out-perform the likes of Club Brugge, Genk and Anderlecht, all of who have far bigger budgets.
USG’s starting point under Bloom’s guidance was far lower compared to what he’s walking into at Hearts.
From facilities, to stadium and structure, the Tynecastle club are in a strong position.
For the Old Firm fans still dismissing the notion Hearts could be challenging them, well Brugge and Anderlecht supporters said the same about USG.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
