DAVIES TAKES A DIG AT HEARTS

improve the club. It appears they are not ready to make the internal changes required to achieve greater success. ‘It seems to me they just want to change the figurehead. ‘It’s my belief just changing the manager will not achieve what’s required for success and perhaps the alterations are outwith their financial boundaries at present. ‘I wish them well in their future endeavours.’ Former England manager Steve McClaren had also been linked with Hearts before taking on a consultancy role with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dougie Freedman was another name under consideration but was appointed sporting director at Crystal Palace. However, interim coach Jon Daly has been praised by Budge and he will continue in charge of the team in Saturday’s Premiership visit to face Motherwell. Former club captain Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley are the other front-runners for the position. ‘I repeat what was said in my previous statement, namely that the board will not rush the new management appointment,’ chairwoman Budge told the Hearts website. ‘We did receive lots of interest and we have conducted a number of interviews. The calibre of interviewee was very high and every candidate was worthy of very serious consideration. ‘As well as interviewing short-listed candidates, we have also conducted a review of our football operation both against our initial threeyear plan and, importantly, against our new three-year plan, to confirm the suitability of our current management model as the club continues to progress. ‘While this has been going on, Jon Daly, supported by the other members of the coaching staff, has stepped up to the mark brilliantly and filled the role of interim head coach admirably.’

ANN BUDGE last night confirmed Hearts will not announce a new head coach until next week — as Billy Davies withdrew from the running with a thinly-veiled dig at the club. The former Motherwell, Preston and Nottingham Forest boss was interviewed for the post made vacant by the sacking of Ian Cathro on August 1. However, he has now removed himself from the running — and questioned the club’s management structure. In a statement released by agents Superior Sports Management, Davies said: ‘I spoke to Hearts, looked at their structure and gave them a clear plan on how to alter it to