Tony Bloom and Hearts could turn out to be the perfect match
Heart of Midlothian football club have often generated headlines for all the wrong reasons over the previous few years. From the Vladimir Romanov era to administration, the support have seen – and been through – it all.
In June, however, the headlines were positive for once. That was when the news broke of Brighton and Hove Albion owner and chairman Tony Bloom securing a £9.86m deal to buy a 29% stake in the capital club.
Heads were turned. This wasn’t just another foreign investor pumping their money in to see a quick fix (see Romanov) but someone who has a long term vision for the Gorgie outfit.
The fan-led majority shareholder group at Hearts voted in favour of the offer from Bloom and it could well turn out to be a match made in heaven.
Why Hearts? And why the interest in Scottish football from the poker playing entrepreneur?
Tony Bloom can usher in a new era at Hearts
Depending on who you ask, Hearts are the third biggest club in Scotland. Across their history, the Jambos have won 16 major honours, including four league titles, but success has been barren in the 21st century.
Indeed, the club have won just two Scottish Cups (2006 and 2012) and even spent two seasons in the second tier.
Bloom’s investment, then, could be seen as a masterstroke, especially considering Brighton’s meteoric rise since he became chairman in 2009.
The Seagulls finished eighth in the Premier League last season – their second highest finish in the top flight ever – and the club even played European football for the first time during the 2023/24 campaign.
Furthermore, Bloom has worked wonders in the transfer market. Moisés Caicedo was sold for £115m in 2023. Marc Cucurella and João Pedro also departed for fees in excess of £60m.
In total, six players have been sold by Brighton for £30m or more since the summer of 2021, with the club reinvesting this money wisely in the transfer market.
Of course, Hearts wont be selling players for these types of figures, but with the right recruitment, they can start making solid profits on those who are performing well.
Indeed, the Edinburgh side had a formal relationship with Jamestown Analytics – Bloom’s company – for recruitment purposes. Now, with his investment, this area will surely be ramped up as he bids to secure some silverware in the near future.
Last week, the 55-year-old stated that Hearts will “have an excellent season” before outlining his vision for the club over the next few years.
“I’m not saying we’re going to win trophies this season, that season, next season but I genuinely believe that we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now and for the long term.”
Bloom is a confident man. But with only Aberdeen splitting the Old Firm in the top flight since the 2016/17 season, Derek McInnes has a major job on his hands, that’s for sure.
Judging by the impressive start to the season under the former Kilmarnock manager, Hearts and Bloom could be ready to take Scottish football by storm over the coming months.
Derek McInnes is the perfect manager for Hearts
Seventh in the Premiership, knocked out of the Conference League at the group stage and a failure to reach the final of either domestic cup signifies how poor Hearts’ 2024/25 season was.
Combined with the fact the club went through two permanent managers, change was needed ahead of this summer in order to prevent another disastrous season.
Step forward McInnes. The Scot led Aberdeen to their first trophy in nearly 20 years back in 2014. Elsewhere, he also brought Kilmarnock back into the top flight before leading the Rugby Park side to fourth in 2023/24, thus qualifying for Europe.
He’s been there and done that in Scottish football, making him the perfect appointment for Hearts.
One of his first jobs was tying Lawrence Shankland down to a new deal. At one stage, it looked as though the striker was set to depart Gorgie, but McInnes’ vision, plus the investment from Bloom clearly persuaded the 30-year-old to pen a three-year contract.
Despite losing James Penrice this summer, McInnes has recruited well thus far. Eight new signings have already arrived in Edinburgh, including forwards Claudio Braga and Elton Kabangu.
The Jambos got off to a fast start in the League Cup group phase, winning all four of their matches by an aggregate score of 16-1, dispatching Dunfermline, Hamilton, Stirling Albion and Dumbarton with ease.
These results were expected, however, and the real challenge awaited on the opening weekend of the Premiership season against McInnes former employees Aberdeen.
Hearts strolled to a comfortable win as an own goal by Graeme Shinnie and a Stuart Findlay header were enough to ensure a positive start.
McInnes’ teams are known for their ability to get the job done by whatever means possible, but Hearts played 122 passes into the final third against the Dons, while also taking 27 touches inside the opposition penalty area.
A sign of things to come perhaps? Against Dundee United last weekend, Hearts scored in the dying embers of the match to seal a 3-2 win that propelled them to the top of the league table.
During that match, the club achieved 79 final third entries along with taking 40 touches in the opposition penalty area.
This 100% start to the season has the supporters bursting with anticipation for the campaign ahead.
Hearts still have to play both Celtic and Rangers, but the first few weeks have shown that the relationship between Bloom and McInnes could steer Hearts into a new era.
“We’ve got a very good chance of at least being second this season.” said the Brighton owner before the Aberdeen clash.
This statement will either turn out to be prophetic or idiotic. Hearts’ performances over the next nine months will be the judge of that.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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