One missing coaching qualification is currently stopping Steven Naismith from donning a manager’s hat.
But the former Scotland striker insists he has no regrets over shelving badges in favour of caps and hanging his shirt in the SFA Hall of Fame.
Naismith can’t become the boss at Hearts until he’s passed his pro licence. That’s what the blazers at UEFA dictate and he accepts it as he assumes the role of Tynecastle technical director with Frankie McAvoy assuming the frontman role in the management team. But the 36-year-old - who won the last of his 51 Scotland caps four years ago - reckons the two-year process should be more flexible especially for players who want to become coaches but still have a foot in international football.
Naismith certainly isn’t taking a back seat as the Jambos go through their paces in the searing heat of Marbella. But the qualifications will have to wait for now as the former Rangers and Everton striker gets to work alongside McAvoy and coach Gordon Forrest in shaping Hearts for the new season ahead.
He said: “From playing at the highest level and being an international player I have found the badges challenging. Not in terms of doing them - I really enjoy them and think there’s value in doing them. But the process of doing them is definitely not suited to international footballers.
“So you either try and do them earlier and compromise your level of playing - I was an international up until the last year of my contract, which would make this opportunity easily viable for me. If not you are then having to play catch-up. Now I understand these are all here to give you as much exposure and learning before you go into a job.
“But football in general is not perfect. I think the process could be changed to offer routes for everyone rather than ‘this is it’.
“But listen, it’s the situation we’re in and we have dealt with it.
“I definitely don’t have regrets because I wouldn’t have reached 50 caps if I had done that.
“I did my B Licence when I was playing at Everton. On the coaching course you’d be told that a session should be designed in a certain or specific way.
“But David Moyes or Roberto Martinez would do it a different way.
“Now there’s no right or wrong, but I found myself losing slight focus on what I was actually doing.
“And that’s why I decided to do my B Licence and then wait until I retired before doing my other badges.”
McAvoy has already made clear that he will be calling the shots when the season gets underway against St Johnstone early next month.
But when it comes to recruitment Naismith will take the lead along with sporting director Joe Savage.
It’s an arrangement he insists will continue the progress that started when they took interim charge following Robbie Neilson’s sacking in April.
He said: “From day one we have worked as a team.
“I’m not naive enough to think I know everything.
“Frankie has loads of experience, so has Gordon.
“And we’re fortunate it has clicked really well and everyone has their own bit they are strong at.
“That’s the way we worked before. I personally enjoy environments like that.
“The biggest thing we have done is everyone has an opinion, and if you have an option to make us better, voice it.
“We’ll then decide if it’s a good idea or not. It’s been like that since day one.
“The final say will be Frankie. The bottom line is it will be.
“To date it has never come up where someone’s opinion has been so strong.
“We’re very much the same.
“When it comes down to the squad and the team that’s Frankie.
“In terms of recruitment and things like that it’ll be me.”
The management team might only have had seven games as interim bosses last season but there was no hanging about with their change in style as they chase after third spot and a place in the Conference League group stage.
An aggressive frontfoot philosophy which will underpin their approach and Naismith and McAvoy will not compromise.
He said: “Without a doubt, that’s the only way I want to coach.
“It’s the only way I feel you get long term success - if you have a clear identity.
“We want to win games and be on the front foot. Of course there’s times you need to be compact like at Ibrox when we get a one goal lead and they’ve gone forward and we need to be good at defending and be really good on the ball.
“We’ve shown that in good spells. Now it’s about progressing that and believing in it.
“You need the right players, coaches and thought processes.”
