Hearts are moving into a huge summer after parting company with head coach Neil Critchley.
It’s the second time the Jambos hierarchy have pulled the trigger on a first team leader after Steven Naismith’s exit earlier this season. However, a 1-0 defeat to Dundee on Saturday had fans fully turning on the man who replaced the former striker, with Critchley lasting just six months in charge after being hired in a process aided by Jamestown Analytics.
Under his leadership, Hearts did pull themselves away from the bottom of the league where he found them, but failed to win many important matches, with Hearts not able to beat Hibs or Aberdeen this season. They also missed out on two chances to clinch a top six spot and lost their Scottish Cup semi-final vs the Dons as a theme of defeat in big games too much for sections of the support to ignore.
Their latest loss against Dundee has the club five points above 11th, the relegation play off spot in the Premiership, with four games to go. Here is how Critchley’s reign unfolded in 13 photos.
5. October 30th - First setback
The first loss of his reign comes at home to Kilmarnock by a 2-1 scoreline. | SNS Group
6. December 19th - The buffers
An 11 game stretch brings just a couple of wins in domestic and European territory, before their Conference League hopes ended in shock fashion in a draw versus minnows Petrocub. | SNS Group
7. December 26th - Boxing Day gut punch
Defeat in the derby sparks angst within the fanbase. | SNS Group
8. Feb 1st - Progress
After derby defeat, Critchley's side go eight without a loss and signs look bright after an extensive January recruitment drive plus 6-0 pasting of Dundee. | SNS Group