Robbie Neilson has been SACKED as Hearts boss after paying the price for a miserable run of five defeats in a row.
The 42-year-old was in second stint in charge at Tynecastle and led them back into the Scottish Premiership following the Gorgie club’s relegation during the Covid-hit season when the campaign was cut short.
Neilson guided the Jambos back into Europe last season after a third place finish as well as the Scottish Cup where they lost in extra time to Rangers but the axe has now fallen on the player who earned legendary status as a player with the club. After defeat to St Mirren allowed Aberdeen to leapfrog them into third place, the Tynecastle outfit released a statement saying: "Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Robbie Neilson. We'd like to thank Robbie for all of his efforts. A full statement from the Board of Directors will be released in due course. No further comment will be made today.”
Neilson spent a decade as a player at Tynecastle and started his managerial career in Gorgie before leaving to join MK Dons. He returned north of the border to take charge of Dundee United and led them to promotion, however, left Tannadice to return to Hearts.
But he had faced fan fury in recent weeks following a woeful run in the Scottish Premiership and after the 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren on Saturday seething supporters chanted "Neilson, get to f***". He felt confident of turning things around when asked, saying: "I've done it before and it's part of being a manager. You're not going to win every single game and we're going through this period which has been difficult, but we have to continue to believe in what we're doing and the processes we're having. We have to build the players' confidence and then get through it.”
Neilson, though, won't get that opportunity now as the hunt begins for his successor with the club facing a huge Edinburgh derby next.
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