Steven quits coach role at Tynecastle

Tynecastle sit in last place in the league, although they are only three points adrift of the three teams immediately above them.

“Tynecastle still have 12 league games left and I thoroughly believe that I had a group of players capable of surviving in the Premier Division,” said Steven, a former manager of Cowdenbeath, Craigroyston and Edinburgh City. “We are also in the quarter-finals of the East of Scotland League Cup.

“We have the youngest team in the league and in our last two games, against Edinburgh University and Spartans, we had six players who were aged 20 or under. We were ahead in both of these games before losing by the odd goal.

“These young boys are still developing as players and we needed to survive this season to take them on to the next level.

“I had heard through the grapevine that my position as manager of Tynecastle had been discussed by committee members who know very little about me.

“I wanted to stand up in front of my players and say that I had the backing of the committee.

“I did not want to be working from one committee meeting to another. If they [the committee] were not prepared to back me then I said that I would resign and that is exactly what has happened.

“I have absolutely no  hard feelings and I wish my successor and Tynecastle  Football Club all the best for the future.

“I leave with my head held high as when I took over in the middle of last season Tynecastle were in a perilous situation and we avoided relegation.

“That is almost certainly my managerial career finished,  although the phrase ‘never say never’ could well apply.

“Maybe I could help out a young manager or be part of a committee.”

A possible candidate for the vacant position could be Stevie Myatt, who was previously manager of Preston Athletic for 11 years until the tail end of last season.