Heart of Midlothian have confirmed they have parted company with Steven Naismith and his management team Frankie McAvoy and Gordon Forrest.

B team boss Liam Fox will take interim charge alongside former Hearts duo Angus Beith and Lee Wallace.

It is understood the club board met on Saturday evening following the 2-1 loss at St Mirren.

The defeat was the team's eighth in a row, making it nine games without a win to start the campaign, the worst in the club's history. Hearts sit bottom of the table after their six league fixtures.

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay admitted it was "clear for all to see that things are not working this season" and revealed the club will update fans in the near future.

“I’d like to firstly thank Steven, Gordon and Frankie for all their efforts over the past year and a half," he said. "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 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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Naismith was appointed interim boss in April 2023 for the final seven games of the season following Robbie Neilson's removal as head coach. 

He was given the job on a full-time basis in the summer, first as technical coach due to UEFA regulations before his title changed to head coach after the club's exit from European football.

Following a slow start to the season, Hearts cruised to a third-place finish and made the semi-final of both cup competitions.

Naismith along with his coaching staff Frankie McAvoy, Gordon Forrest, and Paul Gallacher all penned contract extensions in August.

Nine players were recruited in the summer but the season has been a huge disappointment. As well as the winless run and being bottom of the table, Hearts have scored just three goals and exited the Europa League play-off to Viktoria Plzen.

Fox is into his second season as head coach of the B team.

“The board met today to agree a way forward, and the process of identifying and hiring a new management team has already begun," McKinlay confirmed.

“In the interim, we welcome Liam, Angus and Lee to the first team and will give them all the backing they need, as I’m sure the supporters will, in order to turn around the present situation.

“Updates will be provided to supporters in due course but, in the meantime, I would ask our fans to continue their unrivalled backing of the team when we host Ross County at Tynecastle Park on Saturday as, together, we strive to take positive steps forward."