Hearts are set to make Scottish football history by appointing Shelley Kerr, a former manager of the women’s national team, to a pivotal role focused exclusively on the development of male players. The Edinburgh club is expected to confirm Kerr as their first technical development manager, entrusting the 55-year-old with substantial responsibility for guiding players from the academy to the first team. Kerr will be the first woman to hold such a position at a major Scottish club. The UEFA Pro Licence holder will also support the Hearts B team and oversee the progress of coaches at the training facility.
In addition to her technical expertise, Hearts believe Kerr’s personality will be a significant asset in the development of both players and coaches. Barring any unforeseen issues, an official announcement from Hearts is anticipated within the next 24 hours. Kerr, a lifelong Hearts supporter, played for the club before the establishment of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. After managing Arsenal, she took charge of the men’s Lowland League side Stirling University. She then led Scotland to the 2019 Women’s World Cup before departing a year later when the team failed to qualify for Euro 2021. Kerr has since worked with the English Football Association in a development role for women’s teams, while also maintaining a presence in Scotland through punditry.
Hearts’ new sporting director, Graeme Jones, who joined this week, was previously a key member of Steve Clarke’s backroom staff as the Scottish FA’s performance director. A crucial aspect of Jones’s role at Hearts involves nurturing talent for first-team use and potential sale. The limited opportunities for Scottish youth players in the top flight has been a significant topic of discussion recently. Hearts are determined to change this trend; James Wilson, 17, scored the equaliser in an Edinburgh derby last month, and 19-year-old Adam Forrester has been integrated into the first team under Neil Critchley.
Hearts have also recently established a partnership with Jamestown, a football analytics firm founded by Tony Bloom, the Brighton owner. Bloom is considering acquiring a minority stake in Hearts, subject to approval from the Foundation of Hearts, the majority shareholder. This potential investment would be seen as a strong endorsement of what Jamestown can achieve in Scotland.
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