Following the Tynecastle managerial shift, Gordon Forrest departs for Asia.
Gordon Forrest, who left Tynecastle Park as the Hearts coach two weeks ago, moved fast to land a new position. The 47-year-old has joined Shenzhen Peng City in China, a team in the global City Football Group, which is led by Manchester City, the English champions.
Forrest and Shenzhen have agreed to an initial, brief contract that will last until the end of the year. The Chinese football season runs concurrently with the calendar year, and the team is currently in the bottom three spots of the standings and fighting relegation. He becomes a member of one of 13 clubs that City Group fully or partially owns worldwide.
As soon as Hearts relieved their three-man management team of their responsibilities, Forrest was keen to get back to work. After eight straight losses, head coach Steven Naismith was fired on September 22 along with assistants Forrest and Frankie McAvoy.
It signified a new phase in Forrest’s professional life. He moved from Dundee United to Gorgie in 2020, originally joining the management team of former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson. He seized the chance for a fresh experience in China after serving as a coach in Scotland, New Zealand, and Canada.
“Delighted to be joining Shenzhen Peng City FC for their remaining games in the Chinese Super League,” Forrest wrote in a social media post. A fantastic opportunity to join the City Group and collaborate with some amazing players and staff.
The 13 clubs controlled by City Group are Man City, Belgian side Lommel SK, Palermo in Italy, Japanese team Yokohama F Marinos, Shenzhen Peng City, Mumbai City of India, Australian club Melbourne City, Bolivar from Bolivia [partner club], Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque, Esporte Club Bahia in Brazil, New York City of the MLS, Spanish club Girona and Troyes from France.
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