Jefferies on his return to Tynecastle

He has served as player and captain and managed the club in two separate spells, and now Jim Jefferies is returning to Hearts, writes Joel Sked.

The 69-year-old has been appointed as “advisor to the board of directors” by the Tynecastle club on a part-time basis.

Hearts have confirmed they have put the search for a sporting director on hold due to the costs of the legal challenge to the SPFL and the preparation for the return to training.

Jefferies will fill the void, acting as a support to manager Robbie Neilson in the transfer market and other aspects of the footballing department for the next six months.

In addition, he will work closely with chair Ann Budge and the directors to provide football experience and guidance.

Jefferies, who quit his

role as director of football at Edinburgh City to take up the Hearts post, will be welcomed back warmly by the Tynecastle support.

He led the club to their famous 1998 Scottish Cup win in his first stint as manager before returning under Vladimir Romanov and mounting a title challenge. He has a strong passion for the club and a great knowledge of the game.

A club statement read: “Heart of Midlothian is delighted to announce that Jim Jefferies has agreed to return to Hearts as an Advisor to the Board of Directors.

“It is well known that we have been working on the recruitment of a full-time sporting director. However, given the time pressures and escalating costs of the ongoing challenge to our relegation, coupled with the re-opening of various parts of Tynecastle and Oriam, we have decided to put our recruitment process on hold for now.

“We thank all of those who have expressed an interest in the position and we look forward to picking up discussions when we revisit the process in a few months’ time.

“Having said this, we do need support to ensure Robbie has all the time he needs to work and focus on his first team squad ahead of the start of the 2020-21 season. To provide that support, we have reached out to Jim.

“Jim has agreed to join us for six months, on a parttime basis, to give Ann and the Board advice and guidance on a range of footballing matters. Jim will work closely with Ann during the transfer window, which has now opened, to help make the changes to the squad that Robbie feels are needed. Jim has Hearts in his DNA.”

Neilson, who was given his Hearts debut by Jefferies, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jim back to Hearts. He brings a wealth of experience and knows the club inside out having been hugely successful both as a player and manager at the club.

“Having worked with Jim in his first spell as manager and known him for over 20 years, his experience and expertise will be of great benefit to both the club and myself.”