THERE has been loads of chat about Ian Cathro’s laptop, the fact he’s introverted and awkward in interviews – all true – but the reason he has lost his job is because Hearts have no identity.
I was on the A license course with him down at Largs and he was a quiet guy but that doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. But on the pitch it was very difficult to nail down what his teams were all about.
What system were they trying to play? What were their strengths? Were they good at defending? Did they create chances? It was hard to watch them and pinpoint what they were doing and that stemmed from the head coach. He struggled to give them an identity so both that and failing to get results cost him his job.
Read more: Steven Thompson: Dons will finish second but I expect big seasons for Hibs and Killie too
But I’m also in the camp that thinks Craig Levein has to be culpable as well. He chose to give Cathro this shot and gave him his full backing and it’s backfired massively. So Levein has to take a share of the blame as well for this outcome.
And it’s a shame as there’s so much positivity around the club with the construction of the new main stand and season ticket sales going through the roof. So everything else is positive off the park. At least in a way taking the decision now maybe minimises potential damage down the line. Had they waited until there were midway through the season, then it might have been a bigger mess to try to untangle.
Ann Budge is a decisive character. Last year when it became apparent the Tynecastle pitch wasn’t up to it, within a day or so they had ripped it up and started to prepare to lay the new one. And she’s acted decisively again here. The good thing for any new manager is he’s been left a few good signings in Christophe Berra and Kyle Lafferty. A decent manager should be able to come in and work with those two - and guys like Jamie Walker, Don Cowie, and Arnaud Djoum - and get them to perform to a higher standard.
Read more: Steven Thompson: Dons will finish second but I expect big seasons for Hibs and Killie too
This is a top-six squad but they need to make a decision soon to give the new manager the last few weeks of the transfer window to make further changes if he feels it necessary.
It also remains to be seen whether a new manager can come in and work with Levein as that is an important dynamic at Hearts. Can Levein maybe swallow his pride a bit and step to the side?
Maybe not have as much of a hands-on influence and just let the new man get on with it? He seems to want to be in control of a lot of what goes on so that is something any new appointment will have to work with. That relationship is key.
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