New Hearts owner Ann Budge has shown that there is no room for sentiment under her regime by sacking Gary Locke.
On Friday Budge took control of the club and will hand over her stake to the Hearts Foundation but has quickly made the changes that she feels are needed to get the club heading back towards the top division.
Locke won’t have his contract renewed, or side-kick Billy Brown, with current u-20 coach Robbie Nielson stepping up to take on first team duties with Craig Levein announced as manager as well as Director of Football.
Goalkeeping coach Alan Combe is also on his way out of the club with top earners Jamie Hammill, Ryan Stevenson and Jamie McDonald also understood to be on their way out of Tynecastle.
Announcing her plans today Budge told the Hearts website: “We know it may be an unpopular decision with some of you, but the Board has decided that we cannot offer Gary Locke a new contract as Manager, at the end of his current contract. Please believe me when I say this has been an enormously difficult decision to make.
“We all know the pressures that Gary and his assistant, Billy Brown, have worked under over the last year. They were set an almost impossible task, which they handled with dignity and determination. For that, we are all hugely grateful to both of them. The players and backroom/support staff at Riccarton will be sorry indeed to see them go…as, I know, will a very large section of the Hearts support. They will both leave with our very grateful thanks and best wishes.
“Craig Levein will join the club with immediate effect and will assume total responsibility for everything to do with the playing side of the business. He will be responsible for putting in place an end-to-end strategy for how we are going to implement a youth-driven playing policy within the club.”
With costs slashed Hearts are determined to get off on the right footing with no room for sentiment as Budge sets out on installing a five year plan to provide a sustainable football club.
Meanwhile St Mirren have sacked Danny Lennon with Barry Ferguson expected to take over as manager later this week.