Pressley backs Stendel to stay
STEVEN Pressley is adamant Daniel Stendel remains the right man to lead the rebuilding process at Hearts – and insists it is “vital” the German stays at Tynecastle.
Stendel, 46, agreed a twoand-a-half-year contract with the capital club in December following a protracted fiveweek search for Craig Levein’s successor. Despite some notable triumphs – two stirring wins over Rangers and an Edinburgh derby victory at Hibernian – he failed to lead the Edinburgh side away from the foot of the Premiership.
Hearts paid the price last Monday when the top flight was called and they were relegated to the Championship, pending Ann Budge’s last-gasp attempt to implement reconstruction. Stendel subsequently stated he has ’no contract’ to manage the club below the top-flight. But 2006 Scottish Cup-winning captain Pressley reckons it is pivotal that the two parties find a way to ensure he is still at the helm next term. Pressley said: “Daniel [Stendel] has only been there for a short period but seems to have built up a good relationship with Ann [Budge] and the players and I believe it is vital he remains at the club.
“At a time like this some form of continuity is very important. I’m not a person who believes in change for change’s sake. If you have the right manager then you need to give him time to build the club in his image.
“Presumably Hearts still think he is the right man, and Daniel still believes in Hearts.”