Heart of Midlothian have confirmed the appointment of Neil Critchley as the club's head coach.

The 45-year-old has been chosen as Steven Naismith's successor following a process that involved Jamestown Analytics and he will be assisted by Mike Garrity.

 The club interviewed several possible candidates, including Norwegian Per-Mathias Hogmo, who appeared to be the frontrunner until Friday afternoon when talks broke down.

Critchley, who has signed a deal until the end of the 2026/27 season, will now take over a side bottom of the Scottish Premiership without a league win all season and just one in all competitions.

It is his first coaching job outside of England and his first since managing Blackpool during the 2023/24 season and the start of this campaign.

Critchley spent a number of years working in the academy at both Crewe Alexandra and Liverpool before making his first step into first-team management with Blackpool. He led the Seasiders into the Championship in his first full season. A role on Steven Gerrard's backroom staff at Aston Villa followed before a less-than-successfu 12-game stint at QPR. He would return to Blackpool where the team narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay explained the use of analytics within the appointment and how it was important the new head coach was comfortable working within the club's set-up.

“I’m very happy to be able to welcome Neil to Hearts," he told the Hearts website.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact that analytics has guided our search for a new manager, and that data presented us with many top quality options including Neil.

“During the interview process, we got the opportunity to hear from applicants and get a better understanding of them as people and in particular how they have dealt with and learnt from particular situations both positive and negative in their careers. 

“In addition, we were able to ascertain who would fit best into our new model going forward which includes the use of analytics for recruitment and the appointment of a new Sporting Director with very clear ideas of what we need to do to succeed. This was a vital part of our deliberations as any appointment has to be fully bought into this to ensure that we have the maximum chance of success.

“Following these discussions, it became very clear who the standout candidates were.

“Neil understands well what we are looking to do, has experience at big club environments, none more so than at Liverpool, and is an ambitious coach with a desire to lead his teams to the top.

“Everyone at Hearts is looking forward to Neil getting to work and I’m sure our supporters will give him a warm welcome when we play St Mirren on Saturday, and continue their unrivalled backing of the team.”

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Incoming sporting director Graeme Jones played a key role in the search for the new head coach. He noted the "extremely good track record" of the club's analytics partners in appointing managers in the UK and abroad.

“I have been privileged enough to be involved in this process ahead of officially commencing my role as Sporting Director at Hearts, and I have been impressed at how robust and concise it has been," he said.

“Our analytics partners, who have an extremely good track record of managerial appointments in the UK and abroad, worked with us to provide a shortlist of compelling and contrasting options, which through interviews and negotiations have led us to today’s announcement.

“Neil was the outstanding candidate based on the analytics, and having spoken with him at length I believe he is who we need to provide success as the club prepares to enter a new, exciting era.

“For Neil to succeed he, like anyone, will need the right environment and I will work closely with him to provide that environment.”

A press conference will be held later today to unveil Neil Critchley as the club's head coach