The former Hearts defender has been linked with a move to China

Former MK Dons manager Robbie Neilson has been linked with a move to the Far East and the vacant job at Chinese side Shenzhen Peng City.

Sitting ninth in the Chinese Super League after 15 games, already 20 points adrift of runaway leaders Chengdu Rongcheng, Shenzen parted company with boss Chen Tao, despite picking up seven points from a possible nine in recent weeks.

Chinese media are linking ex-Dons and Hearts boss Neilson to the vacant position.

The 45-year-old moved to Milton Keynes in December 2016 from Scottish Premiership side Hearts following the sacking of Karl Robinson while Dons were in the League One relegation zone. While he kept the side up that season, they struggled the following year, and he was sacked in January 2018 after a 2-1 defeat to Northampton Town.

Returning to Scotland, Neilson helped Dundee United to promotion from the Scottish Championship before returning to Tynecastle to take them back to the top flight.

Leaving the club in 2023, he then went to North America to take over at Tampa Bay Rowdies where he remained until 2025 when he moved back to Europe, taking up the role as assistant manager to Lee Johnson at Lommel in Belgium - the same club Liam Manning left to join Dons in 2021.

Shenzhen are a part of the City Group, as are Lommel.