The club announced last night that Ian Cathro had indeed joined Hearts as their new manager, even if Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd and others were not too happy about that possibility yesterday.
So Rafa Benitez now has a big vacancy to fill although he says he will not rush into any appointment.
Ian Cathro and his assistant manager Austin MacPhee held a news conference with Hearts owner Ann Budge yesterday to announce the appointment which had been widely anticipated.
Ian Cathro – new Hearts manager
This is what Ian said at his press conference:
“This is the right place. It’s the right place because of the tremendous work that has taken place over the last two-and-a-half years.”
“There isn’t a limit to what you can do unless you believe in the limits set by other people. I think you can already see I don’t live with those limits in my mind.”
“I’m willing to make the statement we can go a little bit further.”
“I believe there are improvements to be made here. There is space to grow and develop. We intend on being here for a long time. There will be highs and lows, but it’s about improving.”
This is what owner Ann Budge said:
“I’m excited and delighted. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last few days and I think Ian and Austin are a fantastic addition to our team.”
This is what Rafa said about Ian on his departure from Newcastle:
“I would like to wish Ian the very best success with his first head coach role. When a coach has the opportunity and the desire to progress his career in management, it is always very important to allow them the freedom to move on and develop themselves.”
“We all send Ian our good luck for his future and thank him for his good work for Newcastle United. We will not be appointing a replacement to Ian in the immediate future.”
“We will take some time now to decide what is best for us, our team, coaching staff and the club.”
Ian’s main role in the coaching set-up was to run the training sessions so presumably he will be looking for somebody who can fill that void.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
Goldmbemba
Dec 6, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Comment #1“We will not be appointing a replacement to Ian in the immediate future.”
=
‘He wasn’t that important to our set up after all.’
Jail for Ashley
Dec 6, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Comment #2Get Shearer, Rob Lee and Ginola in to take the sessions
Jib
Dec 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #3Toon fan talking with a Villa fan
WWSBRD
Dec 6, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Comment #4If Cathro was still taking training sessions then surely Rafa would want him replaced as soon as possible. It was his job under McClaren but really once he left does anyone know what Cathro was doing?
And it wasnt actually McClaren who brought Cathro in was it? Thought it was a board decision to add him to the backroom staff and SM just went along with it, might be why he was kept on as well
Lindisfarne
Dec 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Comment #5https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/dec/06/scottish-football-hearts-ian-cathro-sfa-malky-mackay
Good read