HEARTS APPOINT DUFFY

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

New Hearts director of football Jim Duffy believes his appointment will ease the burden on head coach Graham Rix.

Former Hibernian and Dundee manager Duffy will hold his post until the end of the season.

The 46-year-old was brought to the club by Rix before the end of last month to help with coaching duties but has now been promoted by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov with the full backing of the former Chelsea coach.

Duffy said: "Naturally, I am delighted to take on this role as I believe that it is essential that a club of the size and stature of Hearts should have a strong framework in which everyone is allowed to truly concentrate on their individual roles.

"My appointment will, above all else, allow Graham to concentrate solely on the coaching and development of the first-team squad, while I will take on the responsibility for identifying how we can develop the entire footballing side of Hearts.

"While we now have a structure in place on which to concentrate our run-in until the end of the season, this move is designed to give the club the opportunity to maintain its overall progress and plan for the future.

"For example, we are already shaping our thoughts on how we can develop the football side of the club after the season finishes in May."

The Jambos slipped to a 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen at the weekend to leave them trailing Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Celtic by 13 points following the Hoops' win at Rangers on Sunday.

Under former manager George Burley, Hearts had topped the table before his shock departure. Rix arrived at the end of October to replace the current Southampton boss, but admitted he was struggling with the nature of the job.

Now the ex-Arsenal and England striker is "delighted" with the appointment of Duffy.

Rix said: "It is excellent for Hearts and Jim is certainly a great asset for this club.

"He knows the game inside out and can be fully trusted with all footballing matters here.

"I can now focus on coaching and developing the first team after a couple of testing weeks."

The Edinburgh club believe the appointment of Duffy will provide "stability" after a tumultuous week.

A delegation of Tynecastle players met with Romanov after the defeat by Aberdeen amid speculation Rix was not selecting the the team before the draw at Dundee United last Tuesday.

A Hearts spokesman said: "The appointment, which takes immediate effect, provides a stability to the footballing operations of the Tynecastle club with Jim taking on a role that encompasses all player contractual, development and communication matters in relation to the footballing aspects at Hearts.

"Graham Rix will now have the opportunity to concentrate on his role as head coach for the first-team squad including all the day-to-day training and coaching for Hearts' first team.

"The appointment of Jim Duffy as director of football follows a meeting with Mr Romanov on Saturday evening where it was agreed that the size and stature of Hearts necessitated the appointment of an individual who had direct responsibility for all footballing matters.

"Jim Duffy will now ensure a stability in all football related matters at the club and will report directly to Mr Romanov."

Taken from sportinglife.com