Hearts have reportedly added Kalle Karlsson to their managerial shortlist after Per-Mathias Hogmo turned down a move to the Jambos.
The Edinburgh side are ramping up their search for a new gaffer after sacking Steven Naismith at the end of September following a dreadful start to the season.
Naismith left the club bottom of the Premiership and they still only have two points to their name despite a very positive start to their Europa Conference League campaign.
Amid the current international break, efforts to find Naismith’s replacement are advancing but it hasn’t come without setbacks.
The main one being Per-Mathias Hogmo who turned down Hearts’ offer to become their new manager reportedly due to salary issues.
As exclusively revealed by Not The Old Firm, former Blackpool and QPR manager Neil Critchley remains firmly in the frame.
But it appears a Swedish boss by the name of Kalle Karlsson is being considered by the Hearts hierarchy.
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Kalle Karlsson reportedly in Hearts job frame
According to multiple reports in Scotland and Sweden, Karlsson is also being looked at as a potential replacement for Naismith.
Karlsson manages Vasteras SK in the Swedish Allsvenskan whose league campaign is due to finish in a matter of weeks.
But Vasteras currently occupy bottom spot of the table and are stick on favourites to be relegated to the Swedish second tier after a poor season.
Karlsson has been manager of the club since 2021 and led Vasteras to the Allsvenskan for the first time since 1997 after promotion in 2023.
But he hasn’t been able to guide Vasteras to safety and the club are under serious threat of relegation with just 19 points gained from 26 league clashes.
Who is Hearts ‘target’ Kalle Karlsson?
Karlsson began his coaching career in 2014 as the assistant manager of Karlsbergs who were then in the fourth tier of Swedish football.
He earned the top job at the club in 2015 and remained manager for two years before moving to Vasalunds in January 2017.
However, he endured a torrid time there and lost his job after only 18 games. He was demoted to the assistant manager position and Vasalunds were eventually relegated.
Karlsson went back to Karlsbergs as boss and spent a further two years at the club before reaching the position he is in just now with Vasteras SK in January 2021.
Hearts fans are right to be concerned with what appears to be an underwhelming CV but it is believed Karlsson is in the frame as the Jambos continue their job search.