Hearts have parted company with head coach Neil Critchley following Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Dundee.
Critchley had been in the job for six months, succeeding Steven Naismith in October.
His and assistant Mike Garrity’s departure comes with the Jambos having claimed only one point from their last four William Hill Premiership matches as well as losing out in the semi-final of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup to Aberdeen last weekend.
The club confirmed in their announcement on Saturday evening that Liam Fox, as had been the case prior to Critchley’s arrival, will once again take interim charge.
Hearts supporters made their feelings clear in the aftermath of the defeat to Dundee, in which Simon Murray struck for the visitors seven minutes before half-time.
After the game, Critchley had expressed his belief that he could turn things around.
“I totally understand the frustration when you lose at home,” he said. “There’s an expectation at this football club which I’ve said I’m more than comfortable with – I believe in the next four games we can prove that and I’ll prove that.
“I’m confident in my ability to move the team and group forward, which will hopefully take the club where we want it next season.”
The hosts rarely threatened after falling behind against a resolute Dundee side.
After only missing out on a place in the top-six on the final round of fixtures prior to the split, Hearts now have concerns at the bottom end of the table.
Only five points separate the men from Gorgie and Ross County in the relegation play-off danger zone, with the sides meeting next weekend in Dingwall.
Dundee moved out of the play-off position thanks to Murray’s 22nd goal of the season and boss Tony Docherty said: “To come here and get that performance and result, I’m hugely proud of them.
“I asked the players to leave everything on the pitch and to make sure they went over and above for their team-mates, I think you saw a team that did that.
“I’m on record as saying this season we’ve had a lot of adversity in terms of injuries and particularly injuries to senior players.
“Joe (Shaughnessy) has missed 31 games for me this season, though once they are back you see the level of performance we get in a defensive sense.”
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