Eva Olid is stepping away from her role with Hearts Women after leading the team to the SWPL summit, with assistant Pascal Xanthos also set to leave
The Heart of Midlothian women’s squad has confirmed a major change in its coaching setup: Eva Olid will vacate her role at the close of the current season. The announcement follows a recent victory that reinforced the team’s position at the top of the SWPL, and it comes after almost five years of work in Gorgie.
Olid, who arrived in 2026 after coaching spells in Spain and the United States, has overseen the club’s climb from the second tier into top-flight contention and will remain focused on securing a memorable finish.
The club has stated that the decision was reached mutually and that Pascal Xanthos, who has served as Olid’s assistant for two years, will also leave at the end of the campaign.
Following last weekend’s important 1-0 victory over Glasgow City, Olid told her players about her plans to move on. With the title race still active and a league fixture against second-placed Rangers looming, Hearts have signalled a commitment to deliver for supporters during the remaining matches.
How the departure was communicated
Club officials released a statement confirming that the parting is agreed and that the leadership change will take effect at season’s end. The official message praised Eva Olid for playing a central role in the women’s programme, highlighting her influence as the team progressed through promotion and consolidation at the top level. The statement also noted that the club will host a conversation on Hearts TV with Olid after the season to reflect on her tenure, while emphasizing that both coach and club are fully committed to competing until the final whistle.
Inside the timing
The timing of the announcement—made publicly after the side’s recent win—was designed to be transparent to players and fans while leaving the competitive picture intact. The club described the move as part of an exciting new chapter for Heart of Midlothian across all levels. For now, Olid’s immediate priorities are clear: maintain the momentum that put the team at the top of the SWPL table, manage squad focus for the run-in, and aim for the best possible outcome in the title chase.
Assessing Olid’s legacy at Hearts
Since arriving from the Catalan Football Association, where she had been head coach, Eva Olid has left an unmistakable imprint on the programme. She is credited with guiding the club through promotion from the second tier and establishing a competitive identity at the highest domestic level. Her background in Spain and the United States brought fresh methods and a different perspective to the club, and those changes have translated into on-field results and a clear upward trajectory during her near five-year spell.
Tangible achievements and cultural impact
Beyond league position, Olid’s era included improvements in player development pathways, match preparation, and tactical consistency. The club’s current first-place standing in the SWPL acts as a concrete testament to that progress. Team cohesion and resilience under pressure were repeatedly mentioned by players and staff as hallmarks of her leadership. As the club prepares for life after Olid, those institutional gains will be among the key assets for whoever takes over.
Looking ahead: the final stretch and succession
With the remaining fixtures offering the chance for a title-winning finish, Hearts intend to see out the season with focus and ambition. The immediate priority is to maintain current form, particularly in high-profile clashes such as the upcoming fixture against Rangers. The club’s leadership has indicated they will begin planning for a successor and a broader strategy for the women’s programme, while also arranging an end-of-season interview on Hearts TV that will allow Olid to reflect on her tenure.
Supporter and squad response
Reaction within the dressing room and among supporters has been a mix of gratitude and surprise. Players have expressed respect for Olid’s contributions, while fans are watching closely as the team attempts to convert the current advantage into tangible silverware. The management’s public acknowledgement of both the coach and her assistant, Pascal Xanthos, suggests a measured transition that aims to protect performance levels and honour the work done over the past years.
As Hearts prepare for what may be a decisive period in the title race, the club and its coaching staff appear determined to finish the job they started when Olid arrived in 2026. The coming weeks will clarify whether the squad can translate momentum into a trophy and how the club will shape its next chapter after the departure of two key coaching figures.
