{"id":554819,"date":"2020-06-22T13:17:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T17:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=554819"},"modified":"2020-06-22T13:28:15","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T17:28:15","slug":"heart-of-midlothian-re-appoint-robbie-neilson-as-conflict-with-dundee-united-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/22\/heart-of-midlothian-re-appoint-robbie-neilson-as-conflict-with-dundee-united-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart of Midlothian Re-Appoint Robbie Neilson as Conflict With Dundee United Continues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heart of Midlothian have dramatically announced<\/a> that they re-appoint Robbie Neilson as their new Head Coach. Normally, this story might cause a brief glance from neutral supporters. However, it is one full of shocks and twists that a scriptwriter would be proud of.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neilson \u2013 a former Hearts player \u2013 agrees a three-year contract to return to the <\/span>Edinburgh<\/span> club. Nothing too shocking there. Except, he has joined from Dundee United. Again, nothing really shocking. Except, Hearts and Dundee United are at war over a place in next season’s Scottish Premier League (SPL).<\/span><\/p>\n

Heart of Midlothian Re-Appoint Robbie Neilson<\/h2>\n

Hearts Versus Dundee United Part One<\/span><\/h3>\n

This season’s SPL, like other worldwide leagues, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the clubs in Scottish football decided to support a plan to finish the 2019\/20 season early. This was despite teams having around a quarter of their games to play. There has been much fall-out from this decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The major controversy is relegation and promotion issues were settled<\/a> without a full set of fixtures being played. This means that Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer are relegated from their respective divisions. Likewise, Dundee United, <\/span>Raith<\/span> Rovers and Cove Rangers are promoted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understandably, the three relegated clubs disapprove of this conclusion to the 2019\/20 season. Hearts have been the most vocal, even proposing an idea to restructure the Scottish Football League.
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However, their proposal was not supported by the majority of the clubs, thereby confirming their relegation. Replacing them in the top-flight are Dundee United. However, Hearts are planning to take legal action against the Scottish Professional<\/span><\/span> Football League (SPFL). They are seeking \u00a38 million in compensation<\/a> but still hope that their relegation is overturned instead.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Dundee United, along with <\/span>Raith<\/span> and Cove Rangers, are planning to “robustly defend”<\/a> themselves to ensure their respective promotions stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearts Versus Dundee United Part Two<\/span><\/h3>\n

Today, this battle has taken another turn, as Neilson departs Dundee United for Hearts. Dundee United have agreed to Neilson’s departure, although they are “disappointed”. <\/span>They will receive a compensation package from Hearts<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking to The Courier<\/a>, United chairman Mark Ogren said: \u201cRobbie played a huge role in our journey so far, however, we now look towards the future, with a new leader and renewed hope for our fans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Neilson began his managerial career at Hearts in 2014 as Head Coach. He stayed with the Tynecastle club until December 2016, when he was poached by <\/span>English<\/span> club MK Dons. At the time, Hearts were second in the SPL.<\/span><\/p>\n

His time at MK Dons did not prove the success that many had expected, and he left by mutual consent in January 2018. MK Dons would finish the 2017\/18 season relegated to League Two. However, Neilson was still highly regarded in Scotland.\u00a0 W<\/span>ithin a year of leaving MK Dons, he <\/span>returned north of the border, accepting Dundee United’s Head Coach role.
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At the time, Dundee United were struggling to achieve promotion from the Scottish Championship. They had been relegated from the SPL in 2016<\/span>,<\/span> but finally, Neilson has achieved the expectations of United’s supporters. Of course, this is now subject to\u00a0legal action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Decline After the Departure of Robbie Neilson<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many Heart of Midlothian supporters point to the departure of Robbie Neilson as the catalyst for their club’s <\/span>perceived<\/span> decline. Although, in fairness, if a club is behind Celtic in the SPL, then decline of this club is likely. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, Hearts managed to steadily finish in the top six of the SPL prior to this season’s dramatic fall. Few predicted that they would battle relegation in 2019\/20. Although whether they would have been relegated had the season been completed, is open to much debate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certainly, Neilson’s departure could have sparked a decline, as he is one of Hearts’ most successful managers. In 106 games, he recorded 62 wins, which is a win-ratio of more than 50%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether Robbie Neilson can recreate this success, will probably depend on the impact of the COVID-19 situation on football finances. The size of the task of rebuilding Hearts will vary, depend upon which division they play in next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several former SPL clubs now playing in the Scottish Championship. Most notably Inverness CT will prove strong rivals for any team seeking promotion next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Final Twist<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like all good tales, there is one final twist to this intriguing story. Hearts might not have a manager vacancy!<\/span><\/p>\n

Neilson has been appointed to replace Daniel <\/span>Stendel<\/span>. Although <\/span>Stendel<\/span> is under contract until 2022, his contract was to end early if Hearts were relegated.\u00a0 Theoretically, if Hearts do win their legal battle to overturn their relegation, then <\/span>Stendel<\/span> might have expected to be kept on<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There has been no official word on his current situation, except for today\u2019s appointment of Neilson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stendel<\/span> guided Barnsley to promotion from League 1 of the EFL in the 2018\/19 season. With this on his CV, then he should expect some interest from clubs either the UK or back in his native Germany.<\/span><\/p>\n

What the immediate future holds for Hearts, Dundee United and <\/span>Stendel<\/span> is unclear. However, it is very doubtful that they will be sending each other Christmas cards this year!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>