Hearts’ hopes of a second consecutive season of European group-stage football ended with a 4-0 thrashing to PAOK in Greece.
The Edinburgh side lost 6-1 on aggregate in the Europa Conference League play-offs.
A marginal offside had cost Hearts the chance to go 2-1 up at Tynecastle in the first leg before a long-range strike gave the Greek side the advantage, but any hopes of progress for Steven Naismith and Frankie McAvoy’s side were ended inside the first quarter in Thessaloniki.
The visitors also lost influential defender Stephen Kingsley to injury in the second half.
There was little between the sides in the early stages, but Hearts had a warning when PAOK skipper Vierinha struck the crossbar from long range.
The home side went ahead in the 16th minute after Hearts right-back Nathaniel Atkinson conceded a free-kick with a clumsy challenge.
Brazilian winger Taison curled a low delivery from out wide and the ball went straight into the net inside the far post.
There was a strong claim for the goal to be disallowed as Giannis Konstantelias had come back from an offside position and walked in front of Lawrence Shankland as the ball went through the Hearts striker’s legs. But the VAR officials decided the midfielder had not interfered with play.
The visitors went three ahead on aggregate midway through the half following a cross from the right.
Stefan Schwab got above Atkinson to head down to Brandon and the Spanish striker held off Kye Rowles and hooked the ball past Zander Clark with his back to goal.
Hearts had a chance for a lifeline right at the end of the half when Kenneth Vargas got beyond his man on the byline and centred for Alex Cochrane, who was denied by a block as he tried to flick the ball home from close range.
PAOK moved further ahead in the 57th minute. The home goalkeeper’s long ball went over the head of Rowles and the ball was delivered inside for Konstantelias, who had time to mis-kick his first attempt and still be able to stroke home unchallenged.
Kingsley limped off after a lengthy period of treatment and there was a clear sign that Hearts were starting to focus on Sunday’s cinch Premiership clash with Motherwell when skipper Shankland was taken off as well.
There was further misery for the Jambos when PAOK broke clear for a fourth goal in the 71st minute after Cammy Devlin was barged off the ball on the edge of the Greek side’s box following a Hearts free-kick.
Taison kept his cool to slip the ball through Clark’s legs and net his second goal of the night and complete another heavy defeat for Scottish clubs in Europe following recent humblings for Hibernian and Rangers.
Emotional Guardiola lauds Liverpool legend Klopp as Man City rivalry ends
An emotional Pep Guardiola offered his sincerest thanks to Jurgen Klopp for pushing Manchester City to new heights after their relentless Premier League battle with Liverpool.
Klopp's Reds are the only side to have stopped Man City from winning the top-flight title in the last seven seasons, with Liverpool taking the crown in 2019-20.
For all of the Liverpool and City rivalry, there has remained a mutual respect between Guardiola and Klopp, who faced off during their time with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively as well.
Ahead of Klopp's departure from Anfield, the German labelled Guardiola as "the best manager in the world", suggesting no one else could achieve four straight titles with the City side that Guardiola managed.
After lifting a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League trophy following Sunday's 3-1 victory over West Ham, Guardiola was moved to tears when asked about Klopp.
"I will miss him a lot," he said as his voice wavered. "Jurgen has been a really important part of my life. He brought me to another level as a manager. We respect each other incredibly.
"I have the feeling he will be back and thank you so much for his words but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club provides me with, otherwise alone I can't do it. I'm humble enough to understand that.
"He helps me with his team, he has been a huge competitor in my life. I didn't discover the way I can punish them like I can find for other teams. With him it has been so difficult."
City became the first team in English top-flight history to win the title in four consecutive seasons, having won the league in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The Citizens pipped Arsenal, whose win over Everton mattered for little on the final day, as Guardiola's former colleague Mikel Arteta continues to impress with the Gunners.
Guardiola referenced fellow Spaniard Arteta as he continued in his praise for Liverpool's Klopp, who enjoyed an emotional farewell at Anfield after the Reds' 2-0 victory over Wolves.
"I'm pretty sure Mikel [Arteta] will continue his legacy to drive us to another level," the Man City manager continued. I wish him all the best and hope his final game was special, he deserved it.
"He made Liverpool recognised with his stamp, and the incredible pride of being a Liverpool fan.
"It's not just about titles, there are personalities that when they arrive in one place they stay forever and Jurgen and Liverpool will be part of the level of [Bill] Shankly and [Bob] Paisley and these incredible legends."
Pochettino: Chelsea reaching Europe 'the first step' to bigger things
Mauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea finishing in the European spots is "the first step" to restoring the club back to its former glories.
A 2-1 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in the final game of the campaign ensured that Chelsea would be playing European football next season with a sixth-placed finish.
The Blues are guaranteed at least a Europa Conference League spot. However, should Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final next Saturday, Chelsea will play in the Europa League instead.
Pochettino feels this is just the beginning as the club looks to return to the upper echelons of European football.
"For the history of Chelsea, it is hard to celebrate," Pochettino told Sky Sports. "But it is the first step to achieve bigger things after.
"We are really close. Season by season it is about improving. We know how we need to compete next season. We have a young squad but with more experience in the Premier League now."
Chelsea lost just one of their last 15 Premier League games of the season, winning the last five as they made a late charge into the European places.
Pochettino is proud of how his team performed at the conclusion of the campaign, saying: "We played against a team [Bournemouth] in a very good run and who also had the whole week to prepare.
"I think the way we played and created chances, we had the chances to score more goals.
"I am so happy with the run in the last part of the season. Credit to the players, and that is how we want to compete."
There has been much discussion over Pochettino's future, with the former Tottenham boss' job reportedly at risk despite the strong end to the season.
When asked about his future at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino replied: "That is a question for the owners and the sporting director."
Liverpool 'cannot thank Klopp enough', says Robertson
Andy Robertson says Liverpool "cannot thank Jurgen Klopp enough" while Virgil van Dijk was lost for words as the German signed off on an emotional day at Anfield.
Klopp oversaw a 2-0 victory over Wolves in his final game in charge of the Reds, who celebrated their much-loved boss.
The Anfield crowd filled up earlier than normal before kick-off to serenade the German, who leaves with a Premier League crown and Champions League glory to his name, and those tributes continued throughout Sunday's victory.
Two of those came from players he brought to the club and went on to play a crucial role in his side's success during just under nine years at the helm.
"We can't thank Jurgen Klopp enough and all the players could do today was try to win for him, and we managed to send him off on a high," Robertson told PLP.
"Every time he stood up, he would have got a massive cheer. He tried to take the limelight off him and it just wasn't possible. What he's done for the club is magnificent. We have a lot to be grateful for and thankful for.
"He gave me a chance at Liverpool, signed me, made me the player I am and helped me win trophies. He's improved all of us as people. That's what we're all grateful for. He always took time for our families and for us. That's what we'll miss the most.
He's done amazing at this club. I think he needs to get off in the sun, have a beer in his hand and have a well-deserved rest.
"We wanted to send him off like we have, but of course, there's a new era upon us. We're all excited and we have to be. We need to be on board.
"We will be ready to get on board with the new manager and help him as much as we can. This club demands success. We're excited for the new challenge."
"I've got no words, it's a very emotional day," skipper Van Dijk added on Sky Sports. "Liverpool is Liverpool. It's special and you see that today.
"It was always going to be a tough afternoon for everyone for different reasons, of course."
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