By Ryan Niven

With Steven Naismith out the door uwsnewsroom take a look at three potential new managers for Hearts.

After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away to St Mirren and chants of Naismith OUT belting out from the away end Hearts made the decision to part company with the man at the helm.

Some could argue after last season’s achievements the sacking was harsh, however a run of eight losses out of eight when the expectation at the club is to be in the running for third, change had to happen. Another Gorgie meltdown and Hearts falling apart coming back to the forefront we take a look at who could could take over at the Edinburgh club

Derek McInnes:

If Hearts are looking for a man who knows Scottish football and understands the expectation of a big club Derek McInnes is the man. Starting his managerial career with spells at St Johnstone and Bristol City he is best known for his eight years in the Granite City. Multiple third place and even second place finishes McInnes led an Aberdeen side to great heights whilst at the helm even breaking the Old Firm status quo by finishing above Rangers on several occasions. Leading Aberdeen to League Cup glory in the 2013-14 season whilst several runners up medals he knows how to navigate cup completions which is a must for the Gorgie faithful. Most recently he has presided over success at Kilmarnock achieving European football with a modest budget. Derek McInnes could be the man to bring the feel good factor back to Tynecastle

Alex Neil:

When a big job in Scotland comes up Alex Neil is always on the list of potential candidates. Starting his managerial career at Hamilton Academical Neil has spent most of his career in England. Having experienced Premier League football with Norwich City his pedigree speaks for itself. While he has never had a taste of Premier League experience since his solidarity season with Norwich, he has managed at Championship level. Perhaps his best accolade is leading a stagnating struggling Sunderland side back to the championship after a four-year absence. Neil is the type of manger Hearts could turn to change their fortunes. With his pedigree down south he can handle the pressure of the big leagues and a return to Scotland could kickstart hearts into gear and show the level he has perhaps not shown in previous years in an ill fated spell with Stoke City.

Tony Docherty:

Tony Docherty haș only been a manager in his own right for a season but what a season that was. After a career spent as assistant to Derek McInnes, Docherty took his own step into management with Dundee. In his first season he achieved top-six status for the newly promoted side. He might lack the managerial experience but his many years as assistant and being in and around Scottish football could make him the perfect candidate. At times last season he had his Dundee side playing some incredible football and while many backed them to go down a top half finish was some achievement. Assisting McInnes at Aberdeen he has the knowledge of how big clubs’ work and with an European adventure on the horizon for the Gorgie Boys this appointment could steady the ship

Everyone across Scottish football will wait with bated breath to see the new man at the helm. There are sure to be twists and turns in the next few weeks as the Gorgie club look to find the right replacement but the three managers listed above could be the recipe for success. Hearts have said they hope to have a new man in the dugout before returning from the impeding international break in October when they are at home to St Mirren.