Craig Levein sacked as Hearts manager and won’t be returning to Director of Football role

Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as Hearts manager, it has been announced.

A statement on the Hearts website said: “The Board of Directors of Heart of Midlothian Football Club has today taken the decision to relieve Craig Levein of his first team managerial duties.

“The Board would like to thank Craig for all of his efforts as first team manager. Craig has worked tirelessly and selflessly, around the clock, to try to achieve success, despite the many challenges with which he has been faced.”

Club Statement: Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as first-team manager

➡️ https://t.co/M7Pno0fPke pic.twitter.com/zaGB566ZQS

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) October 31, 2019

Levein will not be returning to his previous role as Director of Football.

The statement added: “He will, however, see out his contract, which runs until the end of the season, working closely with the Executive Management Team in continuing to develop and improve the structure of the backroom and youth operations within the development.

“We are confident that his knowledge and experience will contribute massively to ensuring that, come the end of the season, he will leave the football department in a healthy and thriving state.”

Austin MacPhee will take immediate charge of first team affairs, on an interim basis, ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.

Hearts currently sit second bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, only above St Mirren on goal difference.

Their derby win over fellow strugglers Hibs is their only league win of the season.

The 55-year-old was appointed as Hearts’ director of football by new owner Ann Budge in May 2014.

After the departures of Robbie Neilson and then Ian Cathro as head coaches, Levein was appointed first team manager in 2017.