Hearts confirm Graeme Jones as club's new sporting director

As reported by Hearts Standard earlier this week, he emerged as the key candidate to replace Joe Savage at Tynecastle Park after his departure earlier this summer following three-and-a-half years at the club.

Jones will step down from his role as performance director at the Scottish FA to join his boyhood club.

He will, according to a club statement, "oversee all aspects of the club’s football department, leading on performance, recruitment, academy and supporting both men’s and women’s team footballing matters".

His appointment came following a recruitment process that was focused, "not rushed".

“I’m extremely pleased that Graeme has agreed to join us as our new sporting director," Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay told the official website.

“The role is a pivotal one within the football club and, as such, it was crucial that our recruitment process was thorough, not rushed, and focused on finding the right individual.

“In Graeme, I believe we have that individual. He has huge experience in the game across many different functions, and his reputation within the Scottish FA is peerless.

“We’re getting a top operator, someone with the determination and the ability to drive standards as high as they can possibly be and I’m certain the club will reap the benefits of having Graeme as its sporting director.”

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Jones has been with the SFA since 2015 following roles with Raith Rovers and UEFA. He progressed from head of football science and medicine to head of high performance before taking on the position of performance director. 

He will be familiar with the likes of Steven Naismith who was part of Steve Clarke's coaching staff for a period as well as Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland through their time as Scotand players.

Jones has worked closely with Scotland managers during his time at Hampden Park and is viewed as a key figure within the organisation and a big loss.

His role encompassed sports science, medicine, analysis, data, scouting and talent identification for all international teams and he had an "oversight across men’s and women’s national teams from A squad down, with responsibility for implementing a world-class system and winning culture to ensure all international players – current and future – are inspired to deliver success".