The Hearts trigger has been pulled - with a look to what comes next already commencing.
After a 2-1 loss at St Mirren left Steven Naismith staring at eight straight losses, the Tynecastle board have opted to sack him and his coaching staff. It ends his reign as head coach after a slow start to the campaign that has them bottom of the Premiership.
Ross County, Dinamo Minsk and Aberdeen come before the next international break. And possible new investor Tony Bloom could also have a hand in who comes into the Hearts hotseat next.
Eight Scottish football pundits have provided their takes on the sacking - with one possible next manager candidate getting plenty of approval. Take a look.
5. Marvin Bartley (Premier Sports)
“It's been an extremely difficult start for him. I thought that Hearts were absolutely brilliant last season and even recruited well in the summer and it just shows you that in football unexpected things can happen. To go eight games without victory isn't acceptable for Hearts and I feel sorry for Naisy because he's put everything into it but it just hasn't worked. It just hasn't been good enough recently.” Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
6. Pat Bonner (Sportsound)
“I hate to see a young Scottish manager sacked but there has to be lessons from this. Hearts are one of the big five teams in Scotland, they are a massive club who have everything in place. They have got a very strong fan base but in the past they've gone with young inexperienced managers. I remember Ian Cathro coming in which didn't work out. Is that the lesson? A club that size has got to go with somebody who has experience? Steven had experience as a player but management is a different story. It's fine when things are going okay but when things start hitting the bumpers that's when you need experience to step in.” Photo: dj
7. Simon Donnelly (Scottish Football Podcast)
"You don't like to see anyone losing their job but its a cut-throat business and to have those sort of stats at the start of a season, it's not good reading. It's a surprisingly disappointing start to the season for Hearts that has cost Naisy his job. To be at this stage of the season and bottom of the league, it's not good enough for a team like Hearts. Photo: SNS Group Craig Foy
8. Ryan Stevenson (Daily Record)
"So Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay reckons the club had to sack Stevie Naismith because they “cannot afford to stand still”. That’s rich considering it’s the board who are responsible for this team going massively backwards. They’ve got some cheek laying the blame at a manager’s door. I mean it’s only 44 DAYS since they handed Steven, his assistant Gordon Forrest and Frankie McAvoy new three-year deals! Forty four! "If you ask me, I’d go for Derek McInnes. He showed at Aberdeen what he’s capable of and is doing a terrific job at Kilmarnock. I’m sure there will be plenty of other applicants too as Hearts remain a huge club. However, do I trust this board to make the right call? No chance. But why don’t you ask me again in 44 days’ time…" | SNS Group