Hearts counting the days for Scala's decision

NEVIO Scala has spoken favourably of plans outlined to him by Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton and has promised the Tynecastle club he will alert them to his availability by the end of this week.

The managerial target is high on Hearts' wanted list to replace John Robertson and the Italian himself has been impressed by the strategy devised by Hearts in their efforts to challenge Rangers and Celtic. He has some personal affairs to place in order before he is able to commit to life in Edinburgh, though Hearts were careful yesterday not to name the Italian as their No1 choice.

"We are speaking together about the possibility to be the future manager of Hearts," Scala said on Real Radio. "I am impressed, definitely. Phil Anderton told me everything and gave me the plans for the future. It is very interesting."

While stopping short of stating Scala has been offered the post of manager, the Tynecastle club have been likewise seduced by the Italian, whose conduct in interviews which took place last weekend matched his first-class reputation. Scala has won the European Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup with Parma, while more recently he led Shakhtar Donetsk to the Ukrainian title.

"We wouldn't be meeting with someone of that kind of ability just to have a chat," said Anderton. "Put it this way, if he wanted to join the club and the terms were right he would be a leading candidate."

Scala insists he won't be too hard to deal with when it comes to a financial package, having spent nearly 20 years in top- class coaching after a playing career which included three spells with AC Milan and five caps for Italy. "It is not a question of money," Scala said. "My problem is only that I have a decision to make about something which is very important to me personally. It is an important question for me and I cannot say anymore than that. In some days I will have made a decision. It will maybe be within two days, but certainly I will have a decision by the end of the week."

Although it has taken a month to get to this point Anderton is prepared to wait a little longer if it means getting the right man. The club are keen to have a new manager in place before releasing details of their season-ticket packages on 27 June. "That would be ideal," said the chief executive when told of Scala's intention to provide Hearts with an answer by Friday at the latest. "We are prepared to wait in order to make the right appointment."

George Burley, the other leading Tynecastle candidate, met Millwall's chairman Jeff Burnige on Monday to discuss the vacancy at the New Den. Burnige said: "George needs to decide whether he would be excited at the prospect of becoming Millwall manager. If he is, we will be having further talks shortly. George also has to weigh up whether he is ready to jump straight back into management."

Taken from the Scotsman