Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown sacked by Hearts

STV understands Jefferies has been offered a director of football role at Tynecastle, which he is expected to decline.

STV understands Hearts manager Jim Jefferies and his assistant Billy Brown have been removed from their positions, with Jefferies being offered an upstairs role at Tynecastle.

It is also understood Gary Locke, the club’s current first team coach, has been offered the manager’s post on an interim basis.

Jefferies has been offered a role as director of football with the club but STV understands the 60-year-old is not interested in the post and will decline. Brown has been sacked from his position and leaves the club with immediate effect.

The new man in charge at Tynecastle is believed to be Portuguese, although his identity is currently under wraps.

Hearts are currently on a run of 11 games without a win, having picked up their last victory on March 19 against St Mirren in a 3-2 win.

Jefferies and Brown have worked permanently together since taking their first job at Berwick Rangers in 1988, followed by moves to Falkirk in 1990 and then Hearts in 1995.

Bradford City came calling in 2000 to take the duo to the English Premier League, a job which ended in their sackings, before they were appointed at Kilmarnock in 2002.

Hearts moved to take Jefferies and Brown back to Tynecastle in January 2010. In his second spell in charge, Jefferies has taken control of 61 games, winning 25.

The club’s last fixture with the pair in the dugout was a 1-0 home defeat to Dundee United on Sunday. Hearts are currently in the middle of a Europa League third qualifying round game with Paks and are due to host the Hungarians at Tynecastle on Thursday.

(Jim Jefferies (right) and Billy Brown have been together at Hearts on two occasions, returning to the club in 2010. Pic: ©SNS Group)