Hearts friendly called off as Steven Pressley resigns

Hearts' pre-season friendly match against Fleetwood Town, which had been scheduled for this Saturday, has been cancelled.

Steven Pressley has resigned as manager of Fleetwood Town. Picture: PA

The Tynecastle club announced the call-off yesterday afternoon, citing “circumstances beyond our control.”

The cancellation came just a few hours after the Lancashire club announced the resignation of their manager, former Hearts captain Steven Pressley after just nine months in charge and 11 days before the start of the new season.

Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley accepted Pressley’s resignation following a meeting yesterday morning and the club confirmed assistant Neil MacFarlane had also left Highbury.

Former Coventry boss Pressley was appointed by Fleetwood in October last year following the sacking of Graham Alexander after the League One side had won only two of their first ten games last season to lie 20th in the table.

He was unable to steer them clear of a relegation battle, but survival was secured on the final day with victory over Crewe Alexandra.

“We’d like to thank Steve Pressley and Neil MacFarlane for their professionalism during their nine months at the club, particularly in maintaining our League One status last season,” said Pilley.