Heart of Midlothian Football Club has fired manager Craig Naismith just days before their UEFA Conference League campaign kicks off, citing an unacceptable start to the season and the need for immediate change. The decision, announced on Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s official statement dated September 24, 2024, came after a string of disappointing results — including a Europa League playoff exit to Viktoria Plzen and league defeats by Motherwell, Celtic, and Dundee United. The board’s message was blunt: "We cannot afford to stand still." With the team sitting in mid-table and European football on the line, the search for a new manager has turned sharply toward two Scandinavian names: Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Kim Alexander Hellberg.
Who is Arnar Gunnlaugsson?
Arnar Gunnlaugsson, the 43-year-old Icelandic striker who once terrorized Scottish defenses as a Bolton Wanderers and Leicester City forward, now finds himself in the frame to manage his former rivals at Heart of Midlothian. Since retiring in 2014, Gunnlaugsson has been managing Vikingur in Iceland’s top flight. He’s known for a direct, high-energy style — a far cry from the possession-based systems often favored in Scotland. Bookmakers have him at 6/1 odds to land the job, the shortest price among all rumored candidates. But here’s the twist: Gunnlaugsson has zero experience managing outside Iceland. His only managerial stint? Vikingur, where he’s guided them to mid-table finishes but never challenged for the title. For Hearts fans, his name carries nostalgia — but also risk. Can a former Premier League journeyman, who never coached above the third tier in his home country, handle the pressure of Edinburgh’s biggest club?
Kim Hellberg: The Quiet Architect of Swedish Success
While Gunnlaugsson is the flashier name, Kim Alexander Hellberg — born February 1, 1988, in Sweden — is the one making scouts sit up. At just 36, Hellberg has already built a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s most astute young coaches. He’s currently at Hammarby IF, where he’s led them to back-to-back second-place finishes in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. That’s no fluke. Before Hammarby, he took IFK Värnamo — a club that had never played in Sweden’s top flight — from 10th in their debut season (2022) to a stunning fifth in 2023. He nearly won Manager of the Year, losing only to Jimmy Thelin, now at Aberdeen. And yet, he turned down Sunderland last year. Why? Because he chose stability over hype. That’s the kind of patience Hearts might need now.
Why Hellberg Might Be the Better Fit
Here’s the thing: Hearts don’t just need a manager. They need a system. Naismith’s team looked disjointed — too reliant on individual brilliance, too fragile under pressure. Hellberg’s teams play structured, compact football. They press high, transition quickly, and defend in blocks. His Värnamo side conceded fewer goals than both Malmö FF and IFK Göteborg in 2023. He’s also proven he can handle European competition — Värnamo reached the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers in 2023. And unlike Gunnlaugsson, Hellberg has a proven track record of developing young players and managing squad rotation. That’s critical for a club juggling domestic and European fixtures.
Even more telling? The fan reaction. On the Jambos Kickback forum, one user wrote: "If I had to guess the most likely appointment... I’d bet on Kim Hellberg." Another added: "Only unemployed need apply." That’s not just optimism — it’s recognition that Hellberg is the only candidate who’s actively building something, not just coasting on reputation.
The Pressure Cooker of Edinburgh
Let’s not pretend this is a routine managerial change. Hearts play their first UEFA Conference League group stage match on September 26 — just two days after Naismith’s departure. The squad is in limbo. Training sessions are being led by assistant coaches. The board has said they’ll make a "short-term" appointment if needed, but insiders suggest they’re pushing for a long-term solution. That’s why Hellberg’s three-year contract with Hammarby isn’t a barrier — it’s a sign of his ambition. He’s not a stopgap. He’s a builder. And if Hearts want to compete with Celtic and Rangers again, they need someone who thinks in seasons, not weeks.
Who Else Is in the Running?
Don’t count out the others. Eirik Horneland of Brann in Norway has Champions League experience. Michael Skibbe, the German veteran, has managed in Turkey and Greece. Graham Arnold, the Australian tactician, is rumored to be available. And Kjetil Knutsen of Bodø/Glimt — the team that stunned Real Madrid in 2023 — is a dark horse. But none have the momentum Hellberg does. None have the recent, verifiable success. None have the calm, analytical demeanor that seems to fit Hearts’ current crisis.
What Happens Next?
The clock is ticking. If Hearts don’t name a manager before their Conference League opener, they risk fielding a team without clear leadership. That’s dangerous. And if they appoint Gunnlaugsson without a clear tactical plan, they risk repeating the same mistakes. But if they bring in Hellberg? They get someone who’s already proven he can turn a mid-table team into a top-four contender — with a system that works in Europe. It’s not just about who’s available. It’s about who can fix what’s broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Heart of Midlothian sack Craig Naismith so abruptly?
Naismith’s tenure ended after a string of poor results, including a Europa League playoff exit to Viktoria Plzen and league defeats to Motherwell, Celtic, and Dundee United. Despite guiding Hearts to third place last season, the club’s board felt the team had lost direction and momentum, especially with the Conference League campaign looming. Their official statement cited an inability to "stand still" amid mounting pressure.
Is Kim Hellberg too young and inexperienced for Hearts?
At 36, Hellberg is young, but his record speaks louder than age. He led IFK Värnamo — a newly promoted club — to fifth place in Sweden’s Allsvenskan in 2023, then took Hammarby to consecutive second-place finishes. He’s managed European qualifiers and turned underdogs into contenders. His calm, structured approach is exactly what Hearts need now — not just experience, but proven results under pressure.
How does Hellberg’s coaching style compare to Naismith’s?
Naismith favored a more direct, physical approach with heavy reliance on individual talent. Hellberg’s teams are tactically disciplined, press high, defend in compact blocks, and transition quickly. His Värnamo side conceded fewer goals than bigger clubs in 2023. For Hearts, who looked disjointed and reactive under Naismith, Hellberg’s structure could restore balance — especially in high-stakes European games.
Why hasn’t Hellberg moved to a bigger league yet?
Hellberg has been offered jobs before — including Sunderland in 2023 — but chose stability. He’s building something at Hammarby, where he’s signed until 2026. His philosophy is long-term development, not quick fixes. That patience could be exactly what Hearts need after years of reactive hiring. He’s not chasing fame; he’s chasing legacy.
What are the chances Arnar Gunnlaugsson gets the job?
At 6/1 odds, he’s the favorite on paper — but his lack of experience outside Iceland raises red flags. He’s never managed a team outside his homeland, and Vikingur hasn’t challenged for titles. While his name carries sentimental value for fans, his tactical profile doesn’t align with what Hearts need now: structure, consistency, and European know-how. He’s a gamble; Hellberg is a calculated upgrade.
When will Hearts announce their new manager?
Hearts face their first UEFA Conference League group stage match on September 26, 2024. The board has said they’ll make a decision "shortly," but insiders suggest they’re waiting for Hammarby’s approval to speak with Hellberg. An announcement could come within 48 hours — or they may appoint an interim coach until after the European fixtures.