in the team's opening fixture of 2009–10, a 2–0 defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice Park. He scored his first goal for Hearts on 30 August 2009, heading home in a 2–2 draw at St Johnstone. Despite having an impressive first half of the season, Gonçalves was dropped from the team in January 2010, following the appointment of Jim Jefferies as manager. The latter stated the reason behind the former's omission from the squad was his refusal to sign a contract extension with the club, with his link due to expire at the end of the campaign. On 7 March 2010, he returned to the starting line-up in the 1–0 away defeat to Dundee United due to a number of injuries in the main squad, particularly in the defensive sector, and the coach confirmed after the game that he would not have selected the player if he had had enough fit players; the Portuguese left in June 2010, after both parties failed to reach an agreement for a new contract. On 18 June 2010, it was announced on Gonçalves' personal website that his management was in talks with Rangers, and that he hoped to have his future resolved within the next two or three weeks. However, negotiations broke down, and he also underwent a knee operation in the summer. After leaving Hearts, Gonçalves reflects his time there, quoting: "I was in Scotland for four-and-a-half years and I had some great times. I only want the best for Hearts and I will always follow them, even when I stop playing because they are an old club of mine." Return to Switzerland On 16 January 2011, Gonçalves signed a -year contract with FC St. Gallen in the top division. He scored his first goal for his new team in a 3–2 friendly victory over FC Schaffhausen played the previous day. He made his competitive debut on 6 February, playing as a centre back in a 4–1 league defeat against Grasshoppers at the AFG Arena. On 3 April 2011, upon his return from a one-game suspension, Gonçalves scored his first goal for St. Gallen in a 1–1 draw at FC Luzern. 17 days later, in his tenth official appearance, he earned his first win, a 3–1 victory over Grasshoppers at Letzigrund. He started in all the league games he appeared in, but could not help prevent the side's eventual relegation, as last. On