Savage thriving in the Heart of battle
Sporting director says future is bright in Gorgie
JOE SAVAGE is a man with a passion for history but it’s the future he is planning to change. Hearts’ sporting director has presided over a startling transformation that has taken them from the Championship to third in the Premiership with a Scottish Cup final to come and European football, with a £3million bounty at least, already secured.
It’s certainly a far cry from fan protests that blighted the club a year ago amid demands for chairman Ann Budge to quit.
For that, Savage (inset) is quick to lay praise at the feet of boss Robbie Neilson.
‘The manager has done brilliantly,’ says the 37-year-old. ‘When we got promotion from the Championship last summer, he decided to flip his formation and tactics to make a greater impact on the Premiership and to suit the players we were bringing in.
‘He wanted young, hungry players and told them he would provide a platform so they could showcase their talents in a good league with the challenge to take on Rangers and Celtic.
‘There is pressure to win here, the fans demand it and Robbie knows that better than anyone having played here, too. He wants players who can thrive on that expectation and so far they have risen to it.’
Neilson’s enthusiasm for the fight obviously rubbed off when they opened talks to sign Australian Olympics star Cammy Devlin last summer.
‘We were on Zoom,’ says Savage, ‘and Robbie had talked up what we were about, then asked Cammy how he likes to play. Cammy replied: “Oh, I love to kick people! I don’t mind mixing it, I’m in it to win it”. Robbie was like: “He’ll do for me”.
‘It wasn’t about the aggression so much, it was that commitment; once he crosses that white line, he’s going to war for his team.’
Savage struggles to contain his fervour for the task and it’s easy to see how, in tandem with Neilson, he has been able to attract young players, not only from Australia but Premier League sides such as Everton, Liverpool and Brighton. They convinced Beni Baningime to join from Everton by saying he would help them win the league, while Brighton’s Alex Cochrane signed after Savage and Neilson took him for lunch overlooking Edinburgh’s majestic castle. ‘When he left, we knew we had him... who can resist a castle?’ Indeed.
The attraction is certainly not lost on self-confessed history enthusiast Savage, though. After all, this is a man once so thrilled at seeing Scotland’s crown jewels that he was stopped by wife Yvonne from taking a photograph within the Royal Palace for fear they would be thrown out.
Perhaps there is an analogy to be found in Hearts’ sporting director wishing to snap up gems in Edinburgh.
‘I love a castle,’ he laughs. ‘I’d live in one given half a chance although I don’t think Yvonne would be too happy. I love the thought of what has gone on before in those places with kings, queens, armies and the little secret passageways.
‘I’m wrapped up in the Second World War at the moment, how Winston Churchill made his plans, how 1940 was such a pivotal year. I love listening to The Rest Is History podcast. Did you know King Arthur wasn’t real? I find it fascinating.’
It’s fitting that Hearts’ past plays a part in attracting players of the future. Savage readily admits potential signings are handed a DVD which showcases the Gorgie club’s rich history as part of the recruitment process.
His passion is clear but it’s not just his ability to absorb information, past or present, that has landed Savage in his current role.
After kicking off his postplaying career scouting for Hamilton Academical, Savage forged a reputation with recruitment roles at Norwich City as they earned promotion to the Premier League then Preston North End, who flirted with the play-offs. There he established a network of contacts and relationships with clubs and agents from which Hearts are now benefiting.
‘Working within low budgets, scouting the lower leagues looking for gems that could be bought for under £1m, it all stood me in good stead, and it was time to take the next step up,’ he explains.
‘So when I came here, I was able to tap into those relationships at clubs such as Liverpool and Everton to bring players here. The Premier League is often about the now, younger players don’t always get the chance, so that’s where we try to step in.
‘I’m not perfect, I’m still learning but I chose this role because I believed I could be good at it and I stand by that decision.
‘I think I’m a good listener and hope I’m a good communicator. It’s important to delegate so that staff can showcase their skills. They don’t want me to be telling them how to do their job, they want me to give them trust.
‘I’d never force a player on Robbie, for example, but this isn’t just about recruitment, even if that’s what some people will judge me on. Europa League qualification could give us £3m but there are so many more facets to the club to budget for, whether it’s data analysis, the academy or women’s team. We want to ensure all are coming together in the same direction.
‘You’re not going to get everything right but the belief and intention is there.
‘We want to see the club back where it belongs, split the Old Firm hold on trophies and win things ourselves.’