CRAIG LEVEIN has been sacked as Hearts manager after a poor start to the 2019/20 campaign.

The former Scotland boss guided the Gorgie club to the Scottish Cup final and the League Cup semi-final last season, but has generally struggled to replicate that form in the Premiership.

Levein was also working as a director of football at Hearts; a position that he will no longer hold.

However, Levein will remain at Hearts for the remainder of his contract to work "closely with the Executive Management Team in continuing to develop and improve the structure of the backroom and youth operations within the development".

The 55-year-old replaced Ian Cathro as manager in August 2017, spending just over two years as the head coach at Tynecastle.

Hearts' next game will take place at Hampden on Sunday where they face Rangers in the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup.

Levein leaves his managerial role with the Tynecastle club in eleventh place in the Premiership, just a single goal above St Mirren at the foot of the table.

Austin MacPhee will take charge of the first team on an interim basis until a successor can be appointed.

More to follow.