Former Hearts manager lands surprise new job as ex-Tynecastle colleagues reunited
A new role in Asia for former Hearts boss
Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has been unveiled as the new head coach of Shenzhen Peng City.
The 45-year-old has left his role as assistant coach at Belgian side Lommel SK, where he worked under former Hibs boss Lee Johnson, to accept the position in China.
Because both Lommel SK and Shenzhen Peng City are owned by the City Football Group, Neilson was able to transition seamlessly into the role within the same multi-club network.
He replaces former manager Chen Tao at the Chinese Super League club and is reunited with assistant coach Gordon Forrest, who previously worked alongside Neilson at Hearts and Dundee United.
"It is an honour to serve as the head coach of Shenzhen Xinpengcheng FC and I am very grateful to the club’s management for their trust in me," Neilson said. "This is a club with a clear development plan and great potential and I am full of expectations for starting this new journey.
"I would like to say to all Shenzhen fans that I am very much looking forward to establishing close ties with you all.
"We have an excellent and promising team, and I hope to help the players continue to grow, repay everyone’s support with a positive and competitive playing style."
Neilson, who had two spells as Hearts boss, was sacked by the Tynecastle club in March 2023 before taking over at Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship where he lasted 17 months.
He then linked up with Johnson at Lommel last season and helped win promotion back into the Belgian top flight via the play-offs.
"I have had a wonderful time in Lommel," Neilson added. "The club and the city gave me a very warm welcome and made me feel at home from day one, and I am extremely grateful to everyone for that.
"I would especially like to thank Jeffrey and Lee for giving me the opportunity to come to Lommel. I have always had the ambition to return to a head coaching role, and I now have that opportunity in China.I would like to thank everyone in Lommel for a fantastic year and wish the club every success in the Jupiler Pro League next season."