Shelley Kerr made history when she became the first women to manage a men’s team in Scotland.
That was in the Lowland League with the University of Stirling and she will now make more history as she lands a key role at Hearts.
The former manager of the Scotland Women’s National Team is set to be appointed as the Tynecastle club’s technical development manager, working exclusively with male players, reports The Guardian.
That makes her the first women to work in such a position at a major Scottish club, her previous role having been in non-league.
Kerr’s Hearts role explained
Shelley Kerr’s title at Hearts when she takes up her new position will be technical development manager.
She will take on responsibility for the transition of young players from the academy and the B team into the first-team.
Kerr will also assist new B team manager Angus Beith and keep tabs on the progression of coaches at the club.
The report adds that an announcement is expected out of Tynecastle over the next 24 hours.
Kerr grew up a Hearts supporter and played for the club before spells at Kilmarnock, Hibs, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Spartans.
She would go onto manage Killie, Hibs, Spartans and Arsenal before landing the Stirling job and then taking over the women’s national team.
Kerr then worked in a development role for the English Football Association.
Graeme Jones starts work at Hearts
New Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones officially started in the role this week after taking on some duties on a part-time basis while working his notice at the Scottish FA.
A key remit of his job will be producing more first-team ready young players and Kerr will obviously be coming in to help with that.
Manager Neil Critchley says he has already established a good working relationship with Jones.
“I’ve spoken to Graeme many times at length, whether that’s on the phone or WhatsApp or face-to-face.
“But also he’s had his job to do as well and he’s been busy with the last few international camps. He has been trying to be as respectful as possible of his position and his role.
“I’ve got so many things that I want to talk to him about and I’m sure that’s the same for Graeme as well. I only spoke to him the other day but it’s going to be good for me and the football club that he’s now in full-time. I’ll try not to bombard him with too much too soon.”
The Hearts boss insists he is comfortable working alongside a sporting director, adding: “I think I have had that before.
“As long as you’re aligned in the way that you think and you see the club moving forward.
“You want to have a close relationship, a working relationship, a personal relationship where you have the honest, challenging, tough conversations – but also you know that you’re there to support each other because ultimately we’re all there for the same benefit which is to make this football club better.
“I know Graeme is passionate about his role and what he wants to do and I’m similar. So I think that’s a good starting point.”