King Of Hearts
Who could be next in at Tynecastle after Steven Naismith's departure?
This is a guest article by Andrew Jeffrey. Follow Andy on Substack and X.
Steven Naismith and his coaching staff were sacked by Hearts on Sunday, following a disastrous run of results.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, Chief Executive Officer Andrew McKinlay said: “I’d like to firstly thank Steven and his staff for all their efforts over the past year and a half. 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, and it has been clear for all to see that things are not working this season. 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 UEFA Conference League campaign about to commence, and the spotlight on our league position, we cannot afford to stand still. That is why we, as a Board of Directors, have made the difficult decision to part ways with the management team, who go with our thanks and best wishes.
“We will update supporters shortly about the next steps in both the short and long term but for now, the club shall be making no further comment at this time.”
It appears that Tony Bloom and his analytical colleagues at Starlizard will assist with the next appointment, but here are three out-of-work managers that may be interested in joining one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
GREGG BERHALTER
Gregg Berhalter’s career has been characterized by a modern, possession-based approach, focusing on high pressing and building out from the back.
Managerial Experience
Hammarby IF (2011–2013): Berhalter began his managerial career in Sweden with Hammarby IF, becoming the first American to manage a European club. His tenure was mixed, and he was eventually dismissed in 2013 due to the club's underperformance and a style of play that was deemed too defensive.
Columbus Crew (2013–2018): Berhalter’s most prominent club role was with Columbus Crew SC in MLS. He implemented a possession-oriented system, which was considered innovative within MLS at the time. Under his leadership, the Crew reached the MLS Cup Final in 2015 and consistently qualified for the playoffs. His work with the Crew earned him a reputation as a tactician who emphasised structured attacking play and defensive organization.
USA (2018–2024): In December 2018, Berhalter was appointed head coach of the USMNT, succeeding interim coach Dave Sarachan. His mandate was to rebuild the team following the failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Berhalter focused on integrating a new generation of young American talent, including players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Giovanni Reyna. Berhalter won the Gold Cup in 2021 and the Nations League in the same year. He left the position after the 2022 World Cup, though was reappointed ahead of this year’s Copa America. However, the USA failed to impress on home soil, crashing out in the group stage. H
While his tactics have been praised, he has also faced criticism for sometimes being overly rigid with his system and selection choices.
Berhalter's tactical system typically revolves around a 4-3-3 formation. His key principles include:
Playing out from the back: The goalkeeper and defenders are involved in short-passing build-up play.
High press: Pressing opponents aggressively when out of possession to win the ball back quickly.
Positional play: Encouraging players to occupy specific zones on the field to create passing lanes and triangles.
While his philosophy has had success at times, especially within CONCACAF competitions, he has struggled when implementing it against top international sides, leading to mixed opinions on his long-term efficacy at the highest level.
ROB PAGE
After leading Wales in Euro 2020 and to the 2022 World Cup, Rob Page failed to get them to Euro 2024, and is now a free agent.
Managerial Career
Port Vale (2014–2016): Page started his managerial career with Port Vale in League One. He led the team to mid-table finishes, but could not get them up.
Northampton Town (2016–2017): He did not last long in his second club job, and was sacked within one season.
Wales (2020–2024): Page took over as caretaker manager of the Wales national team in 2020 after Ryan Giggs was suspended. He led Wales to the Euro 2020 knockout stages and successfully guided the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup — their first World Cup appearance since 1958. However, he could not steer them to Euro 2024, and a poor run of performances meant his stint came to an end.
Page's style of play is pragmatic, focusing on defensive solidity and organisation, often adapting to the strengths of his players. With Wales, he typically employed a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation, designed to provide balance between defensive security and attacking opportunities, and in his early days, get the best out of Gareth Bale.
Defensive organisation: Page emphasises a well-structured defense, often using three central defenders with wing-backs to cover wide areas. This formation allows Wales to be compact at the back, especially against stronger opponents, making them hard to break down.
Counter-attacking play: While Wales were defensively sound, Page encouraged quick transitions when winning the ball. The team often relied on the pace and individual, off-the-cuff creativity of players to break forward quickly.
Team spirt and unity: Page has fostered a strong team mentality, instilling a collective approach where every player is expected to contribute both defensively and offensively. This unity and work ethic have been central to Wales' success under his leadership.
Pragmatism and flexibility: Page is known for being pragmatic, adjusting tactics based on the opponent. Against stronger teams, he is willing to sit deeper and play on the counter, while against weaker teams, he allows for more attacking freedom and possession-based play.
Overall, Page’s tactical approach is one of balance, focusing on maintaining a solid defence while leveraging fast, direct attacking options when possible.
ANDRÉ BREITENREITER
André Breitenreiter is a German coach and a former player, known for his pragmatic and adaptable approach to coaching. His managerial career has spanned multiple clubs in Germany, Switzerland and England with a reputation for solidifying teams and achieving results, particularly in challenging situations.
Managerial Career
SC Paderborn (2013–2015): Breitenreiter’s breakthrough as a manager came with SC Paderborn. In the 2013–14 season, he guided the club to an unexpected promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Despite limited resources, he managed to keep Paderborn competitive in their first top-flight season, although they were relegated in 2015.
Schalke 04 (2015–2016): After his success with Paderborn, Breitenreiter was appointed head coach of Schalke 04, a club with high expectations. In his sole season, he led Schalke to a fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga, securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League. However, differences with the club’s board led to his departure at the end of the season.
Hannover 96 (2017–2019): Breitenreiter took over Hannover 96 in 2017, guiding them to promotion back to the Bundesliga in his first season. He kept the team safe from relegation in their first season back, but after a poor run of results in the following season, he was dismissed in early 2019.
FC Zürich (2021–2022): In one of his most successful spells, Breitenreiter took over Swiss club FC Zürich in 2021. He transformed the team and led them to win the Swiss Super League in the 2021–22 season, securing the club’s first league title in 13 years. His success in Switzerland earned him a return to the Bundesliga.
TSG Hoffenheim (2022–2023): Following his success at FC Zürich, Breitenreiter was appointed head coach of TSG Hoffenheim in 2022. However, despite a positive start, Hoffenheim's form declined, leading to his dismissal in early 2023.
Huddersfield Town (2024): A short stint at Huddersfield Town came to an end in May of this year, after he failed to keep the Terriers in the Championship.
Breitenreiter’s coaching style is characterised by tactical flexibility and pragmatism.
The key aspects include:
Defensive Organisation: Breitenreiter focuses on defensive stability, ensuring that his teams are hard to break down, especially when playing against stronger opposition.
Counter-attacking: While he prefers a solid defence, he encourages quick transitions and counter-attacks when his team regains possession, making use of pacey attackers and wide play.
Adaptability: Breitenreiter adjusts his tactics based on the squad and the opponents. He is known for changing formations frequently, ranging from a 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2, depending on the situation.
Team Morale and cohesion: He is praised for his ability to motivate players and build a strong team spirit, a factor that has been crucial to his success, particularly with underdog teams like Paderborn and Zürich.
Overall, Breitenreiter is regarded as a coach who thrives in difficult environments, capable of achieving unexpected success with smaller clubs. His work at Paderborn and Zürich, where he earned promotion and won titles, has been particularly notable. Though his tenure at bigger clubs like Schalke and Hoffenheim has been mixed, he is respected for his tactical acumen and man-management abilities, and could be an ideal fit as Hearts look ahead to their Conference League campaign.