Hearts owner Ann Budge has issued a lengthy statement voicing her support for under-fire boss Craig Levein.
With no wins since March in the league and the club currently bottom of the Premiership, fans protested against Levein after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Motherwell.
Fans want him gone. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“In short, our Board remains behind the Manager, his coaching staff and his team,” Budge said in the statement.
“We remain behind him because we believe in the plan we have jointly put together.”
It’s fair to say some Hearts fans are not happy with the Levein statement Budge has released.
I absolutely understand what Ann Budge and the board are trying to do and say, but it’s become beyond clear that the current situation isn’t changing. Wouldn’t even mind so much if Levein was to go “back upstairs”, but the players desperately need a new leader.
— Jamie Jambo (@Jamie_Jambo) September 18, 2019
Fans ignored again
Ann Budge is only interested in your money
Hit her where it hurts
And remember she has brought this on Hearts by constantly ignoring the fans https://t.co/VNCJbgrHLX
— The Glorious Leader (@TheReal_Romanov) September 18, 2019
@srwallace1 Given Ann Budge's "genuine fans" comment, should only "genuine fans" contribute to @The_FOH and if so, can we have some criteria for a "genuine fan" please?
— Geoff Kilpatrick (@GeoffK1874) September 18, 2019
No progress Ann, Levein has been in charge for 2 years, in the last 33 games Hearts have picked up the least points in the league, we're on relegation form, Levein has a team of players who are experienced at Hearts now, why are they not settled? You cannot blame injuries
— JVCcam96 (@LifeIsFootball6) September 18, 2019
Anne budge is not a hearts supporter and has no clue about football. It has been confirmed today
— Lewis Russell (@LewisRussell10) September 18, 2019
Massive insult and kick in the teeth to Hearts fans.
— Jamie (@51hmfc) September 18, 2019
Budge hasn’t helped her relationship with Hearts fans
Hearts fans have a slight debt to Budge, she did step in to help save their club after all. Times have changed now though and supporters rightly want progress.
Vudge is loyal to Levein and it’s frustrating the Hearts support. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Addressing her statement to ‘genuine’ Hearts fans was a bit patronising. Those who are furious with the club have a right to voice their concern over the state of play at Tynecastle.
It hasn’t helped her relationship with the Jambos faithful. Levein doesn’t seem able to turn the ship around, yet Budge is persevering with him all the same.
Fans have had enough of Levein and want change that the club need on the park. With this statement, the Hearts owner has confirmed that he’ll be around for a while yet.
Levein isn’t going anywhere. (Photo by Mark Davison/ActionPlus/Corbis via Getty Images)
At this stage, it’s hard to see what would actually be enough to get Levein sacked.