Latest news with #Jambos
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-SPFL star quits manager job after two months as historic club faces first EVER relegation two years after title win
The club have won titles under two Old Firm heroes in recent years NOR WAY BACK Ex-SPFL star quits manager job after two months as historic club faces first EVER relegation two years after title win Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A former Celtic manager and an ex-Rangers star have both led the club to championship glory in recent years. But now, a historic club are facing up to the possibility of what would be a first EVER relegation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Patrick Kisnorbo was a key player during two years at Hearts Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 3 He was capped 18 times by Australia Credit: Reuters 3 He's left his most recent managerial role Credit: Getty Yokohama F. Marinos reached the top level of Japanese football in 1982 and they've been there ever since. They've won the five times, most recently just over two years ago. That title triumph came under the management of former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat. Three years before that, they were also crowned champions under Ange Postecoglou who would move on to Celtic a matter of months later. They fell short of retaining the title under Muscat in 2023 as the finished second behind Vissel Kobe. Last season saw a disappointing eighth placed finish, with former Celtic coach Harry Kewell being sacked mid-season after just seven months in charge. Unfortunately for the club, this season is verging on disaster. Former Chelsea and England assistant manager Steve Holland was appointed manager ahead of the new campaign in December but was sacked in April. His assistant - former Hearts defender Patrick Kisnorbo - took over on an interim basis initially before being handed the reins permanently. However, the ex-Australia international has failed to oversee any kind of major turnaround. Derek McInnes spotted leaving Rugby Park for last time as Kilmarnock fans thank ex-manager Kisnorbo lost his first five matches as interim boss, before recording back-to-back wins over Kashima Antlers - the league leaders - and Machida Zelvia. It was a brief reprieve, however, with Yokohama losing 1-0 at Albirex Niigata on Sunday. With half of the season gone, Yokohama incredibly sit BOTTOM of the table. With just three wins from 19 games, they're rock bottom at that and find themselves six points adrift of safety. The dire situation has led to yet another change of manager. The club have confirmed Kisnorbo has decided to QUIT the role after just two months. He's left with immediate effect. Kisnorbo, 44, spent two years with Hearts between 2003 and 2005. Signed from hometown club South Melbourne, he became a key man for the Jambos playing in both defence and midfield. He played 48 times for Hearts and scored once - a strike in a 2-1 derby win over Edinburgh rivals Hibs. Kisnorbo was one of the Scottish-based players taken to Leicester by his former Jambos boss Craig Levein in 2005 and he enjoyed four years with the foxes. He had a four-year stint at Leeds United too before returning to Australia with Melbourne City in 2013. Kisnorbo quickly moved into coaching after hanging up his boots in 2016, taking charge of Melbourne City Women between 2017 and 2018 and then becoming boss of the men's team in 2020. Kisnorbo led the club to their first A-League Championship in his first season as boss. He moved within the City Football Group in 2022, leaving Melbourne City to take over at French club Troyes. He couldn't continue his success, however, with the club relegated to Ligue 2. Kisnorbo departed after just over a year in charge in December 2023. Last summer, he took over at Melbourne Victory - former club City's big rivals - but was sacked just seven games into a three-year contract. That was despite winning five of those matches. Kisnorbo became Holland's assistant in Yokohama at the end of last year before becoming manager in April. However, exactly two months on, he's now exited the role. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Where Hearts and Hibs place in Scottish football power rankings vs rivals
Teams are gearing up for the new season - but where do stats experts ranking the likes of Hearts and Hibs currently? The Jambos have made a flurry of new signings as they look ahead to their competitive action beginning in the Premier Sports Cup group stages. Hibs meanwhile will find out who they face in Europa League second qualifying round action this week. Opta's power rankings have been updated, ranking 43 Scottish clubs, the top 42 from last year plus Highland League side Brechin City. They are defined by a 'hierarchical Elo-based rating system to measure the strength of each team. The Elo rating system is a skill score that has been adapted to many sports since its creation for chess player ratings, including the official FIFA world rankings for both men and women.' Here's where Hearts and Hibs rank on the list, going from bottom to top.
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Technically gifted Braga set to join Hearts
New signing Claudio Braga, who has played in his native Portugal and in Norway, can't wait to appear at Tynecastle in front of Hearts' success-hungry fans. The 25-year-old will join the ambitious Jambos on a three-year deal from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesunds FK for an undisclosed fee when the transfer window opens. And the move comes after talks with the Gorgie club's new head coach, Derek McInnes (pictured), who said that Braga was one of their top targets. The player, whose full name is Claudio Rafael Soares Braga, said: 'It (Hearts) is a huge club and it is good when people show interest in you.' Striker Braga has been top marksman with Aalesunds for the past three seasons and he said: 'It happens when you work hard. I know the fans love hard workers and sometimes I will fail and sometimes I will miss but I will try my best in every game.' He is happy to play where the coach wants him to and expects Scottish football to be intense and physical. He said: 'I got used to that in Norway and I will try to be as aggressive as them, if not more.' He told the club's social media: 'I have heard already that it is a very good locker room and hopefully I can add to the locker room. I can't wait to play at Tynecastle, win our first game, score my first goal in front of our supporters. It's going to be amazing.' McInnes declared: 'There is great potential there but also exceptional ability. He's a technically gifted player but he is versatile and can play across the front.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts announce latest summer transfer as Derek McInnes hails capture of a top target
The striker is the latest player to sign with Hearts this summer transfer window. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts have confirmed the signing of Portuguese striker Claudio Braga from Norwegian side Aalesunds FK. The Jambos have paid an undisclosed fee - believed to be in excess of £400k - to sign the forward on a three year deal ahead of the transfer window opening. He is the latest confirmed signing at Tynecastle after Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There are other targets being sought by the club, including former Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay. Braga has four goals in 10 games so far this season in Norway and now links up with Hearts ahead of their return to pre-season training, McInnes delighted by the capture of one of their top targets. Claudio Braga signs for Hearts reaction The head coach said: 'Claudio was one of our top targets so to be able to bring him in is fantastic. What's impressed me in my conversations with Claudio is his attitude and his determination to improve as a player and improve the team. 'There is great potential there but also exceptional ability. He is a technically gifted player, he's got a goalscoring pedigree but is also versatile and can play across the front. This is an exciting signing and I have to thank the club for giving us the backing to make this deal happen, and I'm very much looking forward to welcoming Claudio to Hearts when we return for pre-season.' A club statement reads: 'Heart of Midlothian is delighted to announce that it has agreed a deal to bring Portuguese striker Claudio Braga to the club. The 25-year-old will join the Jambos on a three-year contract from Norwegian side Aalesunds FK for an undisclosed fee when the transfer window opens, subject to Scottish FA approval. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Why Hearts have signed Claudio Braga 'A goalscorer and provider, Claudio has finished each of the last three seasons as his club's top scorer. The skilled attacker came through the youth systems of Portuguese clubs like Boavista and Rio Ave before cutting his teeth as a young player in Portugal's lower leagues. He made the move to Norway in 2022 to sign for then third-tier side Moss FK. His 13 goals that season won them the league and with it promotion to the Norwegian First Division. 'Claudio hit double figures the following campaign, bagging 10 goals as Moss consolidated their position in the second tier with a mid-table finish. League rivals Aalesunds brought Claudio to Norway's west coast in 2024. With 10 goals and eight assists to his name, Aalesunds missed out on the promotion play-offs by only four points. His rich vein of goalscoring form has continued into this season, with four goals in ten games so far. 'Come June 16th, Claudio will call Tynecastle Park his home when he arrives to spearhead the Jam Tarts' attack ahead of a new era in Gorgie.'
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
20 Hearts and Hibs players out of contract in 2026 including key men
The Jambos have been busy in the opening stages of this summer transfer period. Head coach Derek McInnes is being backed in the market and aided by Jamestown Analytics, with more signings likely to occur, Claudio Braga one player on their radar. Like their rivals, Hibs will also return to pre-season later this month and they have Europa League qualifiers to concern themselves with. A couple of signings have been made already and Nectar Triantis is one they'd like to have on a permanent basis. With 12 months on several stars' deals, time will soon come to discuss what comes next, if those conversations haven't started already. Here are the players that fall into that category at Hearts and Hibs.
