Hearts sack coach Steven Naismith after eight straight defeats

Hearts Football Club has parted ways with head coach Steven Naismith following a disappointing run of eight consecutive defeats. Naismith, who had recently signed a contract extension until 2026, was unable to turn around the team's fortunes after a promising previous season where he led them to a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership. The club's management expressed their gratitude for his efforts but noted a lack of evidence indicating improvement in performance. In addition to Naismith, assistant coaches Gordon Forrest and Frankie McAvoy were also dismissed as part of the management shake-up. Chief executive Andrew McKinlay emphasized the board's decision was difficult but necessary, given the team's poor results, which included losses in both league and cup competitions. Hearts began the current season with a goalless draw against Rangers but quickly fell into a losing streak, suffering defeats against several teams, including Dundee, Celtic, and St Mirren. The situation was exacerbated by two losses to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League playoffs, further diminishing the club's morale and prospects. As Hearts prepares for their upcoming UEFA Conference League group campaign against Dynamo Minsk on October 3, the club will be looking for a new head coach to lead them out of this challenging period. The management's decision reflects a desire to revitalize the team and restore its competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.