Hearts have sacked manager Robbie Neilson following their 2-0 defeat to St. Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday.
The loss was Hearts' fifth in a row and fourth in the Scottish Premiership following defeats to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Celtic in recent weeks. On Sunday afternoon, the Gorgie side issued a statement on social media confirming Neilson's departure.
The club said: "Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Robbie Neilson.
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"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, two Scottish Cup Finals 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. A full statement from the Board of Directors will be released in due course. No further comment will be made today."
Hearts currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership behind Celtic, Rangers and a somewhat resurgent Aberdeen side who have improved since relieving Jim Goodwin of his position as head coach.
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The news comes before a big Edinburgh derby against Hibernian next weekend and speaking on Saturday following Hearts' loss to St. Mirren, Neilson expressed a result at Easter Road could turn the tide on their recent slump.
He said: “It’s one where we’d like to be going in with better form, ultimately we’re not, but it’s a chance to try and turn things around.”
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