NAI LUCK
Steven Naismith SACKED by Hearts after winless start to the season just 44 days after handing him new contract
CEO Andrew McKinlay has explained why the board have now decided to take action
STEVEN NAISMITH has been sacked by Hearts after 17 months in the Tynecastle hot-seat.
The former Rangers, Kilmarnock and Hearts star has paid the price for the Jambos' shocking form this season, with the club having yet to win a game since the start of the campaign.
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Saturday's 2-1 defeat to St Mirren was the club's EIGHTH straight defeat since their Premiership opening day stalemate with Rangers.
Since then, Hearts have crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup following a shock 2-0 loss to Falkirk and failed to score a single goal in both legs of their Europa League qualifier with Viktoria Plzen.
The Gorgie club currently sit bottom of the Premiership table on just one point despite being widely tipped to finish third again at the start of the season.
Jambos chiefs have decided to take a stand and have now announced Naismith's axe as well as confirming his assistants Gordon Forrest and Frankie McAvoy will also depart.
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CEO Andrew McKinlay has thanked Naismith and his coaches for their continued efforts since taking charge but has admitted recent results have been way below the standard the board expect.
He reckons there has been little evidence to suggest their form will improve under Naismith and insists the club "cannot afford to stand still".
Speaking to the Hearts website, he said: “I’d like to firstly thank Steven, Gordon and Frankie 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.
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“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.
Hearts' horror form
Results this season
Hearts 0-0 Rangers
Dundee 3-1 Hearts
Falkirk 2-0 Hearts (League Cup)
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Hearts (Europa League)
Motherwell 3-1 Hearts
Hearts 0-1 Viktoria Plzen (Europa League)
Hearts 0-1 Dundee Utd
Celtic 2-0 Hearts
St Mirren 2-1 Hearts
“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 next steps in both the short and long term but for now, the club shall be making no further comment at this time.”
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