Robinson and Ross in the hat to replace Levein after Tynecastle sacking

FORMER Sunderland boss Jack Ross and Mother well’s Stephen Robinson are among the early contenders to replace Craig Levein at Hearts.

L e v e i n wa s s a c k e d yesterday evening – a day after the club was beaten 1-0 by St Johnstone to leave them second bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Robinson has guided the Steelmen to two finals during his time in charge, while Ross previously had a coaching role at Tynecastle before going on to manage St Mirren and the Black Cats.

Ross was sacked by Sunderland last month with the club lying sixth in English League One.

Owner Ann Budge, who doubles up as chairman and chief executive, installed Levein as director of football when she took control in May 2014 in lieu of a fans’ takeover.

The former Dundee United manager was instrumental in the appointment of Robbie Neilson and Ian Cathro as the new regime’s first two head coaches. He returned to the dugout after the latter was sacked in August 2017, days before the Premiership season kicked off.

Hearts have since finished sixth twice, with a flying start to last season undermined by a string of injuries.

Levein has also been hit by a number of fitness blows this season. And a summer recruitment drive to strengthen the depth of the squad has failed to compensate for the loss of players like Steven Naismith, John Souttar and Jamie Walker.

Assistant manager Austin MacPhee will take charge as Hearts prepare to face Rangers in the Betfred Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Levein will not return to his role as director of football but will see out his contract away from first-team duties

Former St Mirren and Sunderland boss Jack Ross.