Hearts Football Club announced the sacking of head coach Neil Critchley after the club lost 0-1 to Dundee at home in the first round of the Scottish Premier League group stage on Saturday.

The former Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers manager took over from Steven Naismith last October when the club was at the bottom of the table. Although Critchley managed to lead Hearts out of the bottom of the table and signed a long-term contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, his coaching performance has been questioned by fans because he failed to lead the team into the top six.

Last weekend, Hearts lost to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final and missed the final, which intensified the dissatisfaction with Critchley. The home defeat to Dundee this round was the last straw that broke the camel's back. During the game, the boos at Hampden Park continued at halftime and full time. In the end, the club decided to terminate the contracts with Critchley and his assistant Mike Garrity.

Currently, Hearts is only five points ahead of Ross County, who are in the relegation play-offs, in the standings. The two teams will have a crucial showdown in Dingwall next week, and Hearts' relegation situation is precarious.