Robbie Neilson
{{Short description|Scottish football manager and former player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Robbie Neilson
| image = Robbie Neilson.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Neilson with Hearts in 2006
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|6|19|df=y}}{{Hugman|24718|access-date=14 July 2019}}
| birth_place = Paisley, Scotland
| height =
| position = Right-back
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1994–1996
| youthyears2 = 1996–1999
| youthclubs1 = Rangers
| youthclubs2 = Heart of Midlothian
| years1 = 1999–2009
| clubs1 = Heart of Midlothian
| caps1 = 200
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1999–2000
| clubs2 = → Cowdenbeath (loan)
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2002–2003
| clubs3 = → Queen of the South (loan)
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2009–2011
| clubs4 = Leicester City
| caps4 = 26
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011
| clubs5 = → Brentford (loan)
| caps5 = 15
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2011–2012
| clubs6 = Dundee United
| caps6 = 21
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2012
| clubs7 = Falkirk
| caps7 = 3
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2013
| clubs8 = East Fife
| caps8 = 5
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 291
| totalgoals = 1
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U21{{cite web|title=Scotland U21 Player Robbie Neilson|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=344 |publisher=Bobby Sinnet & Thomas Jamieson|work=Fitbastats.com|access-date=14 May 2014}}
| nationalteam2 = Scotland B{{cite web|title=Scotland B Player Robbie Neilson|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandb/player.php?playerid=200|publisher=Bobby Sinnet & Thomas Jamieson|work=Fitbastats.com|access-date=31 October 2012}}
| nationalyears1 = 2000
| nationalyears2 = 2005
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2006
| nationalteam3 = Scotland
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2014–2016
| managerclubs1 = Heart of Midlothian
| manageryears2 = 2016–2018
| managerclubs2 = Milton Keynes Dons
| manageryears3 = 2018–2020
| managerclubs3 = Dundee United
| manageryears4 = 2020–2023
| managerclubs4 = Heart of Midlothian
| manageryears5 = 2023–2025
| managerclubs5 = Tampa Bay Rowdies
}}
Robbie Neilson (born 19 June 1980) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Neilson, who played as a right-back, started his senior career with Heart of Midlothian, making 200 Scottish Premier League (SPL) appearances and winning the Scottish Cup in 2006 with the club. Earlier on in his career, Neilson was loaned to Scottish Football League (SFL) clubs Cowdenbeath and Queen of the South. After failing to agree a new contract with Hearts, Neilson left and signed for English Championship club Leicester City in 2009. After about a year he was dropped from the Leicester first team, and was loaned to Brentford, and was then given a free transfer in the summer of 2011. Neilson played for Dundee United during the 2011–12 season, and later played for Falkirk and East Fife.
He became Hearts' head coach in 2014, winning the 2014–15 Scottish Championship title in his first season. Neilson moved to Milton Keynes Dons during the 2016–17 season, leaving by mutual consent in January 2018. He was appointed manager of Dundee United in October 2018, and guided them to promotion in the curtailed 2019–20 season. He then returned to Hearts, leading them to the 2020–21 Scottish Championship title as champions.
Club career
=Hearts=
File:Neilson Scottish Cup.jpg in 2006]]
Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire. Neilson was originally attached to Rangers, through their Boys Club system. He joined Hearts' youth academy aged 16. Neilson won the Scottish Youth Cup in a Hearts side that included captain Scott Severin under manager Peter Houston in 1998.{{Cite web | title=How Hartley came on leaps and bounds Midfielder thanks Stark for finding his ideal position | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12440659.how-hartley-came-on-leaps-and-bounds-midfielder-thanks-stark-for-finding-his-ideal-position/ | work=Herald Scotland | date=12 May 2006 | access-date=27 May 2019}}{{Cite web | title=Injury forces Scott Severin to end his playing days at 33 | url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/dundee-united/injury-forces-scott-severin-to-end-his-playing-days-at-33-1-2181111 | work=The Scotsman | date=18 March 2012 | access-date=27 May 2019}}
He had time on loan at Cowdenbeath in 1999. In August 2002, Neilson joined Dumfries club Queen of the South on loan. He helped the club consolidate their Scottish First Division status and win the 2002 Scottish Challenge Cup Final after winning 2–0 over Brechin City.{{cite news|title = Queen of the South lift Bells Cup|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2340231.stm|publisher = BBC Sport | date=20 October 2002 | access-date=22 May 2010}}{{cite news| title = Connolly hails cup triumph| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2344677.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 20 October 2002}} Neilson made 17 appearances for Queens including a man of the match performance at Clyde. He returned to Tynecastle Stadium in January 2003.
A high point in his career came in 2004 with his match-winning goal in Hearts' 2–1 away win over FC Basel in the UEFA Cup, his first in any competition for the club.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4038121.stm|title=Basel 1–2 Hearts |publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2004|access-date=25 November 2009}} He scored his first and only league goal for Hearts in a 3–1 win over Livingston later that season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4359187.stm|title=Hearts 3–1 Livingston |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2005|access-date=25 November 2009}} He played all 120 minutes of the 2006 Scottish Cup Final, which Hearts won on penalties against Gretna.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4764967.stm|title=Hearts 1–1 Gretna (4–2 on pens) |publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2006|access-date=17 December 2017}}
Neilson was awarded a testimonial match by Hearts in 2008.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/hearts/testimonials-like-mine-are-history-neilson-1-3504671 |title=Testimonials like mine are history – Neilson |work=The Scotsman |first=Darren |last=Johnstone |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018}}
On 4 February 2009, he was given the role of Hearts' captain after the departure of Christophe Berra. Manager Csaba László did not start contract talks with Neilson until the season drew to a close. As a result of the new wage structure at Hearts, Neilson and the club could not reach an agreement for a new contract.{{cite news| title = Neilson plans Hearts talks| url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5287685,00.html| publisher = Sky Sports| date = 6 May 2009| access-date = 21 October 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017005937/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5287685,00.html| archive-date = 17 October 2012| url-status = dead}}
=Leicester City=
In search of a new challenge,{{cite news| title = Neilson targets Premier push| url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5420417,00.html| publisher = Sky Sports| date = 8 July 2009| access-date = 21 October 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017005948/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5420417,00.html| archive-date = 17 October 2012| url-status = dead}} Neilson agreed terms with English Championship club Leicester City on 21 May 2009.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/8062606.stm|title=Hearts' Neilson to join Leicester |publisher=BBC Sport | date=21 May 2009|access-date=21 May 2009}} The next day the club confirmed that he had signed a pre-contractual agreement and would join them in July. Signing a three-year contract,{{cite news| title=Neilson signs pre-contract agreement| url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~1664335,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218092638/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~1664335%2C00.html| archive-date=18 February 2012| work=LCFC.com| publisher=Leicester City FC| date=22 May 2009| access-date=22 May 2009| url-status=dead}} Neilson set his sights on helping the club win promotion to the Premier League. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 15 August, becoming the 1000th player to debut for the club in a competitive match.{{cite news|title = Ipswich 0–0 Leicester|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8194898.stm|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 15 August 2009|access-date = 11 February 2010}} Neilson finished the season with 19 league games for Leicester. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–3 League Cup win over Macclesfield Town on 10 August 2010.{{cite news|title = Leicester 4–3 Macclesfield|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8893618.stm|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 10 August 2010|access-date = 25 December 2010}}
==Loan to Brentford==
On 17 February 2011, Neilson joined Brentford on loan for a month,{{cite web| title=Neilson joins Bees on loan| url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2295997,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923224722/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2295997%2C00.html| archive-date=23 September 2011| publisher=Leicester City FC| work=LCFC.com| date=17 February 2011| access-date=17 February 2011| url-status=dead}} which was extended until the end of the season on 23 March 2011.{{cite news|title = Reed and Neilson extend loan deals at Brentford|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/9434050.stm|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 23 March 2011|access-date = 24 March 2011}} On 3 April 2011, Neilson started in the Football League Trophy Final playing the full 90 minutes. Carlisle United won the match 1–0.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9443308.stm |title=Brentford 0–1 Carlisle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2011 |access-date=3 April 2011 |first=Stephan |last=Shemilt}} On 27 May 2011, manager Sven-Göran Eriksson allowed Neilson along with Michael Lamey to speak to other clubs in search of more regular first team opportunities.{{cite news|title = Foxes ready to offload duo|url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11748_6955048,00.html|publisher = Sky Sports|date = 27 May 2011|access-date = 3 June 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023092402/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11748_6955048,00.html|archive-date = 23 October 2012|url-status = dead}}
=Dundee United=
After training briefly with Falkirk{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/14416739.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Friday's Scottish gossip | date=5 August 2011}} and Burton Albion, Neilson agreed to sign a contract with Dundee United on 15 November 2011 until the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15735869.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Neilson relishes Dundee Utd deal | date=15 November 2011}} His debut for the Tannadice Park club was against his former club Hearts on 19 November 2011. Neilson soon became a regular in the first team and manager Peter Houston said he was keen to keep Neilson at the club.{{cite news|title=Dundee United boss Peter Houston eager to keep Robbie Neilson at Tannadice|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-united-boss-peter-houston-1120067|work=Daily Record|date=25 April 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}} At the end of the season, Neilson was offered a new contract,{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}} but he turned the offer down{{cite news|title=Robbie Neilson close to deciding next move|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/robbie-neilson-close-to-deciding-next-move-1.52194|publisher=DC Thomson|work=The Courier|date=4 June 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}} and was released by the club.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}}
=Falkirk=
After his release, Neilson was linked with Scottish First Division side Falkirk.{{cite news|title=Neilson in training with Falkirk|url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/falkirk-fc/neilson-in-training-with-falkirk-1-2537069|publisher=JPI Media|work=Falkirk Herald|date=20 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}} On 6 October 2012, Neilson played as a trialist for Falkirk in a league match against Dunfermline Athletic. The game ended in a 2–2 draw and Neilson unfortunately suffered a cheekbone injury during the match.{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/sfl-division-one/fractured-cheekbone-rules-out-neilson-1-2565875 |title=Fractured cheekbone rules out Neilson |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |date=9 October 2012 |access-date=10 October 2012}} Upon recovering, he played in two further league matches against Raith Rovers and Livingston in November 2012.
=East Fife=
In September 2013, Neilson joined East Fife as player-coach.{{cite news|title=Neilson signs on at Bayview|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/neilson-signs-on-at-bayview.22109561|publisher=Herald & Times Group|work=HeraldScotland|date=10 September 2013|access-date=10 September 2013}} He made his debut playing as a trialist on 31 August 2013, against Rangers in a 5–0 defeat.{{cite web|title=Rangers v East Fife 31 Aug 2013|url=http://www.eastfifefc.info/match/match-reports/1023-rangers-v-east-fife-31-aug-2013|publisher=East Fife FC|date=31 August 2013|access-date=10 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028014556/http://eastfifefc.info/match/match-reports/1023-rangers-v-east-fife-31-aug-2013|archive-date=28 October 2013}}
International career
Neilson was capped 10 times by the Scotland national under-21 team. He won his first and only full Scotland cap in a 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying defeat to Ukraine in Kyiv on 11 October 2006.{{cite news| title = Scots green light for Neilson| url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11790_2391971,00.html| publisher = Sky Sports| access-date = 21 October 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017005958/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11790_2391971,00.html| archive-date = 17 October 2012| url-status = dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/11/newsstory.sport14 |title=Shevchenko brings Scots back down to Earth |work=The Guardian|date=11 October 2006 |access-date=5 April 2018}}
Coaching career
=Hearts=
On 31 August 2013, Neilson returned to Hearts as technical director of the Academy while also serving as their development team (under-20s) Head Coach.{{cite news|title=Robbie returns|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20131031/robbie-returns_2241384_3516734|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102080527/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20131031/robbie-returns_2241384_3516734|archive-date=2 November 2013|publisher=Heart of Midlothian FC|date=31 August 2013|access-date=31 August 2013}} The side lost the Scottish Youth Cup final to Rangers on penalties in 2014.{{cite news |title=Scottish Youth Cup final: Durie's boys triumph after dramatic penalty shoot-out |work=Herald Scotland |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=27 May 2019 |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13160414.Scottish_Youth_Cup_final__Durie_s_boys_triumph_after_dramatic_penalty_shoot_out/}}
New club owner Ann Budge promoted Neilson to the head coach position, working for director of football Craig Levein in May 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27372508 |title=Craig Levein lands Hearts role as boss Gary Locke exits |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014 |first=Brian |last=McLauchlin}} Neilson's first official match in charge was a 3–1 home defeat of Annan Athletic in the Scottish Challenge Cup on 26 July.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28381954 |title=Hearts 3–1 Annan Athletic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}} Hearts began the 2014–15 Scottish Championship with five straight wins, including victories against Rangers and Hibernian.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28647379 |title=Rangers 1–2 Hearts |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28730064 |title=Hearts 2–1 Hibernian |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}} His team remained undefeated for their first 20 leagues matches until a 3–2 home defeat to Falkirk ended their run on 24 January 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-2-falkirk-3-unbeaten-run-over-for-jambos-1-3670211 |title=Hearts 2–3 Falkirk: Jambos unbeaten run ends |work=Edinburgh Evening News |publisher=JPI Media |date=24 January 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015}}
Neilson won the Championship manager of the month awards for August,{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/neilson-lands-august-award/ |title=Neilson lands August award |website=SPFL.co.uk |date=11 September 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}} October,{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/neilson-wins-championship-award/ |title=Neilson wins October award |website=SPFL.co.uk |date=7 November 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}} November{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30432188 |title=Robbie Neilson eyes main prize after manager award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 December 2014 |access-date=20 May 2015}} and March.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/robbie-neilson-wins-4th-manager-of-the-month-award-1-3742680 |title=Robbie Neilson wins 4th manager of the month award |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=20 May 2015}} Hearts clinched the league championship and promotion to the Scottish Premiership, at the first attempt, on 22 March.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31893214 |title=Hibernian 0–2 Rangers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2015 |access-date=20 May 2015}} They finished the season 21 points ahead of nearest challengers, city rivals Hibernian, and 24 points ahead of third-placed Rangers. Neilson was shortlisted for PFA Scotland Manager of the Year,[http://pfascotland.co.uk/2015/news/gordon-strachan-announces-pfas-manager-of-year-nominees/ PFA Scotland Manager of the Year 2014–15 nominees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518123741/http://pfascotland.co.uk/2015/news/gordon-strachan-announces-pfas-manager-of-year-nominees/ |date=18 May 2015 }} PFA Scotland, 30 April 2015; Retrieved 19 May 2015 but lost out to John Hughes of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[http://pfascotland.co.uk/2015/news/pfa-scotland-awards-winners-2015/ PFA Scotland Awards 2014–15 winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518130354/http://pfascotland.co.uk/2015/news/pfa-scotland-awards-winners-2015/ |date=18 May 2015 }} PFA Scotland, 4 May 2015; Retrieved 19 May 2015
Hearts finished third in the 2015–16 Scottish Premiership, qualifying for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.{{Cite web |title=2015/2016 Premiership {{!}} SPFL Archive |url=https://spfl.co.uk/league/premiership/archive/258 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=spfl.co.uk}} In November 2016, it was reported that Neilson had agreed to move to Football League One club Milton Keynes Dons, subject to a compensation agreement between the clubs.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38146038 |title=Robbie Neilson: MK Dons set to appoint Hearts head coach |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=30 November 2016}}
=Milton Keynes Dons=
On 2 December 2016, Milton Keynes Dons confirmed that Neilson had been appointed as manager, as well as his assistant manager at Hearts, Stevie Crawford. The club confirmed Neilson would take charge following the club's FA Cup game against Charlton Athletic.{{cite web |url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/neilson-named-mk-dons-manager-mk-dons-mk-dons-manager-robbie-neilson-stevie-crawford-3448498.aspx |title=Neilson named MK Dons manager |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons FC |date=2 December 2016 |access-date=3 April 2017}} In his first league game in charge of Milton Keynes Dons, he recorded a 1–0 home win against AFC Wimbledon.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38192505 |title=Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 AFC Wimbledon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2016 |access-date=11 December 2016}}
After a run of one win in 11 league games, Neilson left Milton Keynes Dons by mutual consent on 20 January 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42763390 |title=Robbie Neilson: Milton Keynes Dons manager leaves club by 'mutual consent' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2018}} The team had fallen into 21st place, inside the relegation zone.
=Dundee United=
Neilson was appointed head coach of Scottish Championship club Dundee United in October 2018 with a contract running until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45779762 |title=Robbie Neilson: Dundee United appoint former Hearts head coach |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=8 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Neil |title=Dundee United's new boss Robbie Neilson challenged to repeat his Hearts promotion achievement |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/741505/dundee-uniteds-new-boss-robbie-neilson-challenged-to-repeat-his-hearts-promotion-achievement/ |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |date=9 October 2018}} Neilson expressed confidence that he could repeat his achievement at Hearts and lead Dundee United to promotion to the Scottish Premiership. Dundee United's chairman Mike Martin stated that Neilson was the "outstanding candidate" to emerge from "a long list of impressive applications" for the post and expressed delight at his accepting the offer to take up the post. Neilson's first match in charge saw United defeat Partick Thistle 2–1 at Firhill.{{cite news |last1=Winton |first1=Richard |title=Partick Thistle 1–2 Dundee United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45768830 |access-date=17 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 October 2018}} At the end of Neilson's first season, United missed out on promotion to the Premiership after losing to St Mirren in the play-off final.{{cite news |title=Dundee United: Club have 'awoken again' says Robbie Neilson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48416806 |access-date=29 May 2019 |date=26 May 2019}} He led the side to the Scottish Championship title the following season, which was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
=Hearts (second spell)=
Neilson returned to Hearts, who had been relegated to the Scottish Championship after the curtailed 2019–20 season, in June 2020. He signed a three-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53131136 |title=Robbie Neilson: Hearts name Dundee Utd boss to replace Daniel Stendel |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2020 |access-date=21 June 2020}} On 31 October he led them to the 2019–20 Scottish Cup Final after 2–1 victory over rivals Hibernian, thus making them finalists for the second consecutive season;{{cite news |last1=Southwick |first1=Andrew |title=Heart of Midlothian 2–1 Hibernian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52162275 |access-date=23 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2020}} the final was lost on penalties to Celtic on 20 December after a 3–3 draw.{{cite news |last1=Hess |first1=Alex |title=Celtic beat Hearts in Scottish Cup final after penalty shootout – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/20/celtic-hearts-scottish-league-cup-final-live |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=The Guardian|date=20 December 2020}}
Neilson's team secured the Championship title with three games remaining on 10 April 2021 after contenders Raith Rovers and Dundee drew.{{cite news |title=Heart of Midlothian: Robbie Neilson's side clinch Championship |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56703217 |access-date=23 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2021}} He was the division's Manager of the Month in December and April.{{cite news |last1=Sked |first1=Joel |title=Hearts boss Robbie Neilson wins Glen's Championship Manager of the Month after unbeaten April |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-boss-robbie-neilson-wins-glens-championship-manager-of-the-month-after-unbeaten-april-3230547 |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=Edinburgh Evening News |date=10 May 2021}}
Neilson led Hearts to an opening day victory over Celtic in the 2021-22 Scottish premiership. Hearts would follow this up with a 2–1 away win over St Mirren, their first win at St Mirren Stadium in the league for over a decade.{{cite news |title=St Mirren 1-2 Heart of Midlothian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036405 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=7 August 2021}} Hearts early season league form would continue with a 2–0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice on matchday 4{{cite news |title=Dundee United 0-2 Heart of Midlothian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58289625 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=28 August 2021}} seeing Neilson named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for August. A last gasp equaliser at Ibrox against Rangers would see Hearts stretch their unbeaten run in top flight games to 9 games.{{cite news |title=Rangers 1-1 Heart of Midlothian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58796023 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=16 October 2021}} Neilson's Hearts were eventually beaten 2–1 away from home by Aberdeen on Saturday 30 October{{cite news |title=Aberdeen 2-1 Heart of Midlothian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59019296 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=30 October 2021}} having managed to go unbeaten for the full first round of fixtures for the first time since the 2005–06 season.
Neilson would once again lead Hearts to a Scottish Cup Semi-Final against rivals Hibernian for the 2nd time in 3 seasons following a 4–2 win over St Mirren at Tynecastle{{cite news |title=Heart of Midlothian 4-2 St Mirren |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60628475 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=12 March 2022}} in the Quarter Finals. Hearts would defeat Hibernian 3–1 at Tynecastle in the final League game before the split, cementing 3rd place in the league.{{cite news |title=Heart of Midlothian 3-1 Hibernian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60903115 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=9 April 2022}} Just 7 days later, Hearts would once again defeat Hibernian 2–1 in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final{{cite news |title=Hearts beat 10-man Hibs to reach Scottish Cup final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60903795 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport Scotland |date=16 April 2022}} at Hampden Park for the 2nd time in 18 months, setting up a second Scottish Cup final appearance since Neilson's return, this coupled with their league position guaranteeing a return to European group stage football for the first time since the 2004-05 season, a campaign in which Neilson played. Hearts lost the Scottish Cup final to Rangers 2–0 after extra time.
Neilson signed a new three-year contract with Hearts in July 2022. After losing a Europa League playoff to FC Zurich, Hearts entered the group stage of the Conference League. They finished in third place, winning six points from two wins against Latvian side FK Riga. Domestically, in January Hearts were well clear of their rivals for third place after a 3–0 win against Hibernian and a 5–0 win against Aberdeen. There was then an 11-point swing against Hearts, and the club sacked Neilson after a 2–0 home defeat by St Mirren meant that Aberdeen leapfrogged them into third place.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65225450 |first=Andrew |last=Petrie |title=Hearts: Where did it go wrong under departed manager Robbie Neilson? |website=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2023 |accessdate=10 April 2023}}
=Tampa Bay Rowdies=
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on 9 November 2023 that Neilson had signed a multi-year contract to become head coach of the USL Championship club.{{Cite web |title=Rowdies Name Robbie Neilson as Head Coach |url=https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news/2023/11/09/rowdies-name-robbie-neilson-as-head-coach/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=Tampa Bay Rowdies |language=en-US}} A strong start to the 2024 season saw Tampa Bay Rowdies defeat CF Montreal of the MLS 4-1 and go through the first 7 USL games undefeated. Memorable victories over Louisville and Charleston followed as the team showed their attacking profile, creating both the highest shot based xG and highest offensive touches in the opposition penalty area in the league throughout the season.
In September 2024, the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the Tampa Bay Area forced the club to evacuate the area and play their remaining 10 games of the 2024 season away from home. The team secured a play-off place, progressing to the semi-final, where Charleston Battery defeated them 2-1. On 11 April 2025, only four games into the 2025 season and with the team remaining unable to play in the Tampa Bay Area, Neilson departed as Head Coach of Tampa Bay Rowdies.{{Cite web |title=Rowdies fire coach Robbie Neilson, promote assistant Steve Coleman |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2025/04/11/tampa-bay-rowdies-robbie-neilson-steve-coleman-ryan-helfrick/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Managerial=
{{updated|match played 5 April 2025}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: left"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure | ||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}} | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|P|Matches played}} | {{abbr|W|Matches won}} | {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}} | {{abbr|L|Matches lost}} | {{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}} |
| Heart of Midlothian
|12 May 2014 |3 December 2016 {{WDL|106|62|22|22|decimals=2}} |{{cite web |title=Managers: Robbie Neilson |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2790 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 April 2017}} | ||||
| Milton Keynes Dons
|3 December 2016 |20 January 2018 {{WDL|66|26|16|24|decimals=2}} |{{cite web |title=MK Dons: Results/matches: 2016/17 |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2812&teamTabs=results&season_id=149 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=5 October 2017}} Individual seasons accessed via dropdown menu. | ||||
| Dundee United
|8 October 2018 |21 June 2020 {{WDL|70|40|16|14|decimals=2}} | ||||
| Heart of Midlothian
|21 June 2020 |9 April 2023 {{WDL|126|64|22|40|decimals=2}} | | ||||
| Tampa Bay Rowdies
|9 November 2023 |11 April 2025 {{WDL|42|19|9|14|decimals=2}} | | ||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|410|211|85|114|decimals=2}} !— |
Honours
=Player=
=Manager=
Heart of Midlothian
Dundee United
Individual
- Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month: November 2016,{{Cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/hearts/ex-hearts-boss-robbie-neilson-named-manager-of-the-month-1-4311969 |title=Ex-Hearts boss Robbie Neilson named manager of the month |publisher=JPI Media|work=The Scotsman |date=8 December 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}} August 2021,{{Cite web|title=Robbie wins Manager of the Month {{!}} Heart of Midlothian Football Club|url=https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/article/robbie-wins-manager-of-the-month|access-date=2021-09-10|website=heartsfc.co.uk}} January 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c8803yzl7gno |title=Neilson wins Premiership manager of month award |website=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2023 |accessdate=8 February 2023}}
- Scottish Championship Manager of the Month: August 2014, October 2014, November 2014, March 2015, August 2019, November 2019, December 2019, December 2020, April 2021
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/players/neilsonrobbie.html Robbie Neilson] at Londonhearts.com
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{Heart of Midlothian F.C. managers}}
{{Milton Keynes Dons F.C. managers}}
{{Dundee United F.C. managers}}
{{Tampa Bay Rowdies managers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neilson, Robbie}}
Category:Footballers from Paisley, Renfrewshire
Category:Scottish men's footballers
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Category:Expatriate soccer coaches in the United States
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