Hearts dismiss Robbie Neilson as manager after dreadful league run

Hearts have dismissed Robbie Neilson as manager after suffering their fifth league defeat in a row. 

The Jam Tarts lost 2-0 to St Mirren on Saturday, allowing Aberdeen to climb into third place in the Scottish Premiership table. 

Curtis Main and Alex Gogic were on target as the Edinburgh outfit slumped to their 12th defeat of the season. 

Neilson was booed after the final whistle as the fans made their displeasure known. Hearts have now decided to part company with the 42-year-old.

They released the following statement: “Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Robbie Neilson.

“Robbie has been a key part of the club’s ascent back to the upper echelons of Scottish football, delivering another Championship title, a third-place finish, a Scottish Cup Final and European group stage football in the process.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to reach, and we would like to thank Robbie for all of his efforts.”

Neilson played most of his career at Hearts and later returned to the club as their under-20s manager in 2013. 

He was promoted to the manager position a year later and led Hearts to the Scottish Championship title and promotion in his first season in charge. 

Neilson secured a third-place finish for Hearts and qualification for the Europa League at the end of the 2015-16 season. However, he left the club in November 2016 to join Milton Keynes Dons. 

Neilson returned as Hearts manager in 2020 and led his side to promotion again following their relegation during the COVID-19-hit season when the campaign was cut short. 

The 42-year-old also secured a third-place finish last season, guiding his side back into Europe. 

But a miserable run of form this term prompted the hierarchy to dismiss the man who earned legendary status as a player with the club.