GIS Graduate Helps Hearts Women to Historic SWPL Title

For the first time in the club’s history, Hearts Women FC have won the Scottish Women’s Premier League title.

Favourable results elsewhere on the dramatic final day of the season saw them win the league by two points, capping off what assistant coach Pascal Xanthos described to GIS as an “incredibly special season to be involved in.”

A former GIS student who graduated with an MSc in Football Coaching & Analysis in 2025, Pascal joined Hearts in July 2024, having previously held roles at FIFA and Everton FC.

Now, Pascal has helped the team to a title win that qualifies them for next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, an accomplishment he describes as: “A statement about the direction of the group.”

“It means a great deal, because it reflects the work of the whole club, not just the players. Competitions like the UEFA Women’s Champions League are where you want to test yourself, because they demand detail, adaptability, and real competitiveness. 

“It shows that the standards we’ve set have produced something meaningful…it’s the chance to take the next step together.”

Getting to this point, however, has required a lot of focus from both the players and the coaching staff. So much so that when asked at what point in the season do the coaches use the trophy to motivate the players, Pascal’s response was: “Never.”

“The focus has always been on the next game in front of us,” he explained. “That approach keeps the group grounded and protects the standards, because when you start looking too far ahead, you lose clarity on the details that actually win matches. If you keep winning the one in front of you, the bigger picture takes care of itself but our job as coaches is to stay process-driven, keep the players present, and make sure the team is fully committed to the task of the day.”

The clarity mentioned is a recurring theme when hearing from Pascal, as well as other high-level football coaches, as it’s vital that each player knows their exact role and can trust their teammates to do the same. Since joining Hearts, it is something Pascal has been keen to implement.

“One thing I’ve tried to bring is clarity, making sure the players know exactly what we want, why we want it, and how it helps them perform. I believe good coaching is not about overcomplicating the game, it’s about giving players principles they can trust under pressure.”

“Tactically, my focus has been on structure, compactness, and purposeful attacking patterns, while also building an environment where players feel safe to be brave. I want the group to be aggressive in the right moments, connected in their behaviour, and confident that their preparation will support them on matchday.”

These principles implemented by the coaching staff, led by Eva Olid, have seen the squad improve dramatically since their 5th-placed finish last season. During that campaign, the club won 56% of their games, compared to the 71% they have risen to this year—with ‘clarity’ being the word used again by Pascal to reinforce the reason behind the team’s success.

“The biggest change [from last season] has been the consistency in our mentality and the clarity in our football. A team can improve its win rate when it becomes more stable in how it defends, more efficient in how it attacks, and more mature in how it manages key moments. 

“From my side, I would say the work has been about making the structure clearer and the decision-making sharper, especially in and out of possession, plus being stronger in set-play moments. When those areas improve together, results usually follow.”

Alongside Olid, Pascal is set to leave the club now the campaign has drawn to a magical close. Encapsulating his experience this season, Pascal finally recalled what made his time with the club so special.

“When you’re part of a group that is competing at the top end, you feel the standards rise every day, and that is what makes it enjoyable. Historic seasons are never built by one moment alone, they’re built through consistency, trust, and a real willingness from everyone to buy into the work.

“If I’m honest, the most rewarding part has been seeing the connection between staff and players grow. That bond matters, because in big moments the group needs clarity, belief, and calm, and that only comes from daily work and shared commitment.”

Article by Zakaria Anani