'Uneasy viewing', 'Stendel deserved better' - Hearts fans react to final episode of BBC documentary

Former Hearts head coach Daniel Stendel during a Ladbrokes Premiership match between St Mirren and Heart of Midlothian at the Simple Digital Arena, on March 11, 2020, in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

The conclusion of the three-part behind-the-scenes series revealed that the German coach discovered that he had sacked via a friend, who had spotted the news on social media, after Hearts owner Ann Budge moved quickly to bring in Robbie Neilson as his replacement.

Stendel had wanted to remain at the club despite a clause in his contract allowing him to leave in the event of relegation and his emotional exit provoked a sympathic reaction from the Tynecastle support on social media.

Richard Cobb (@therichardcobb): Granted, it was a shame the way Daniel Stendel left and it made for uneasy viewing last night. Ultimately we were relegated so well within our rights to release him. Communication was very poor but no room for sentiment the same way he showed none to Berra for footballing reasons.

ConnorBrownlee (@Beaver_CB51): Just seen the stendal bit on doc, horrendously handled. Budge clearly making alot of mistakes recently with levien cathro stendal etc.

Innes Laing (@inneslaing): Ann Budge didn’t really cover herself in glory with the departure of Daniel Stendel. He deserved better.

Jack Haugh (@JackMHaugh): Feel Daniel Stendel came across well and was given a bit of a raw deal in the end.

Daniel McIver (@McIverTheMark): My thoughts on the final episode of the Hearts documentary: Uneasy about the way it all ended with Stendel, miss him. Neilson has clearly brought so much enthusiasm and cohesion this year. Watching those goals against Dundee again was outstanding. Bobby Zlamal is a laugh.

Maroon Tinted Spectacles (@maroonspecs): Tonight's documentary instalment has brought back my deep sense of unease with the way Daniel Stendel's departure was handled by the club. He deserved much better.

Matthew Leslie (@mattleslie74): Final part of this Hearts documentary reveals Daniel Stendel found out he wasn't manager anymore via social media. That is poor form

@JamTarts. I'd expect this low level of courtesy if that lunatic Romanov was still our owner. Daniel didn't deserve that.

Steven (@chapstar09): Gary Locke deserves is own tv series after the Hearts documentary. Oscar winner in the making.

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