Former sporting director is setting up his own firm

Joe Savage has announced his next career move four months since leaving his job as sporting director of Hearts. The 40-year-old is launching his own consultancy company to help broker deals between football clubs, agents and players.

Savage spent three and a half years at Tynecastle Park and was heavily involved in player recruitment, youth academy development and the Hearts women’s team. He resigned at the end of May and is now establishing his own business.

Posting on LinkedIn, Savage explained his new venture. “I’m excited to announce the launch of FT FT Consultancy - a dedicated sports brokerage and consultancy firm,” he said.

"At FT FT, we specialise in connecting agents, football clubs and organisations with tailored opportunities for success; brokering key partnerships to ensure we navigate the complex world of football together. FT FT prides itself in forging and maintaining successful relationships in the world of football. Let’s work together!"

The Scottish FA’s technical director Graeme Jones has succeeded Savage in the sporting director role at Hearts. Formerly a chief scout at Hamilton Academical, Norwich City and Preston North End, Savage has a wide-ranging network of contacts throughout British and world football.

He helped Hearts sign players such as Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime and Yutaro Oda. The Edinburgh club returned to the Premiership and qualified for Europe three times in succession during his stay in Gorgie. He will now look to use his contacts book to help broker moves for various players and clubs in different countries.

Hearts announced Savage’s departure in July as he advised people to watch out for his next move. “I’m the type of person who, when looking to the future, wants to be able to shake everyone by the hand and leave with my head held high. I believe that now is the right time to do that,” he told the club website.

“A lot has changed since I came to the club. I’ve worked hard to make improvements and I think I’ve done a good job. Qualifying for Europe three years in a row, for the first time in the club’s history, is a good indicator of that, as is the women’s team’s league performance and reaching the Women’s Scottish Cup Final. The academy is going from strength to strength and I’m certain the first teams will bear the fruits of that for years to come.

“I’m not certain what the future holds for me but I’m a risk taker, so watch this space.”