Parma life proves Scala is no hearts ham

REGARDLESS of whatever fanciful plans Vladimir Romanov may have for Hearts under Nevio Scala, the wily Italian will forever be remembered as the coach who dragged Parma Associazione Calcio from the doldrums to mix it with Europe's footballing elite.

Scala may live on a farm in nearby Padova now, but his past achievements and willingness to drag his wife across the continent to Edinburgh at the age of 57 prove that the man Hearts want to properly front the Lithuanian revolution is "nae tottie", as Tynecastle frequenters might put it.

Scala may not be familiar with the term having still to expand his Scottish vocabulary, but he shouldn't worry about any prospective tenure at Hearts ending with such insults being hurled at him from the Tynecastle stands.

Enthusiasm oozes from this charismatic and amiable man, despite reports today suggesting he had given up on Hearts. A man who took Parma, very much minnows of Italian football until his stewardship began in the late 1980s, to the dizzy heights of triumph in the UEFA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.

A man who also won titles with Besiktas and Shakhtar Donetsk [after reportedly being seduced by a £6million contract from billionaire owner Rinat Akhmetov].

On the face of it, Hearts should be proud and honoured that Scala is so keen to assume the mantle of John Robertson, a legend in his own right. In speaking to the Evening News Scala's keenness shone clear, and you get the impression he wants to be revered for success in Scotland as well as Italy, Turkey and the Ukraine.

That Romanov wrote off two days of a supposed holiday in Croatia last week to scrutinise the Italian says much for the allure of Scala in the eyes of the Lithuanian. That the veteran coach has operated and succeeded in three different countries is testament to his vehemence when embracing different cultures. Scala and Hearts certainly look a good match.

"I want to learn about every player Hearts have and about football in Scotland," said Scala. "Then, when I know all of this, I will be ready for this job. About seven or eight years ago I visited Scotland and travelled around Edinburgh. I also went to Perth and Aberdeen and for me Scotland would be a very nice experience.

"I know many things about Hearts because Phil Anderton has given me a lot of information.

"He has passed on newspapers and information on the club's history, so everything that is essential for me to know, I already know." For now, though, it is the waiting game. Romanov has assured Scala he will ring when he returns from Croatia having weighed up the fors and againsts of each of his candidates.

"I was with Mr Romanov through Friday and Saturday in Croatia and we spoke about things concerning Hearts. This would be a big project for both of us and it was a very nice meeting," he said.

"At the end, Mr Romanov shook me by the hand and said: 'Mr Scala, we must see each other again after I return from my holiday.' He is back on Thursday or Friday and then I will wait for a call to meet again. It could be the end of this week or maybe on the Monday of next week, the 27th. I am not sure, I only want this call to come from Mr Romanov or Phil Anderton."

Scala takes a considered, calculated view of life and football and has managed to retain this in his negotiations with Hearts to ensure he would be entering the correct environment should he get the nod. Leaving stones unturned is not an option.

In particular, Scala intends to have a major say in the potentially fractious discussions over recruiting his immediate superior - the new director of football who Romanov wants to oversee everything from first-team signings to what temperature the under-12s' kit is washed at. Scala continued: "We spoke about the director of football but that is not only my problem.

"We must have a meeting after we reach agreement [on the head coach's job], and together we must have the same mind on this. I can say: 'Mr President, I need this, I need this, I need this,' and then I think it will be easier to avoid making a mistake in the appointment. Alone it is very difficult but when I have heard from the directors and others on the director of football, then my decision at the end will be very important.

"I also said that I wanted to learn the Scottish dialect so that I can understand everyone I am working with perfectly. I have looked at the video of Hearts beating Celtic in Glasgow, but it is not enough to know everything or to allow me to say yes at this moment. I need time to become more familiar with the club.

"Mr Romanov wants to build a very good team and he wants to have a prosperous future with this team. I said to him that we would have much work to do, but he said not to worry because he will give me time.

"This answer for me was very interesting because immediately it is not possible to win the league or compare with Celtic and Rangers, but maybe some time later when we have made our mark and have a good team. It will be something for the future. I don't know how long - one year or two years maybe."

Scala is mindful that such a timescale was ruthlessly denied his predecessor, all the more reason for him to confirm Romanov's long-term intentions. Years spent coaching his Parma players eventually paid off, so the Gorgie support should not expect a title challenge just yet.

Scala led the Italian club into Serie A for the first time ever in 1990 and attracted outstanding stars such as Fabio Cannavaro, Gianfranco Zola, Dino Baggio and Diego Fuser. And he would not hesitate to return to his homeland for new signings for Hearts. "I have players in mind but I want to actually come to Edinburgh first to get to know every player first before I buy any new players, and I told Mr Romanov this," he said. "It is not necessary to have Italian players, but if some players from my own country are good enough for our project, why not? It is not important at the minute, for now I am more interested in the Scottish players.

"If we don't manage to find players in Scotland for us, then we can check in Italy, or in Lithuania, or in Germany, or in England. Maybe other countries too."

That will, of course, take time which Hearts don't have with pre-season training looming. But, if Scala can replicate even a modicum of the magic he worked at Parma, Romanov will give him all the time in the world.

Taken from the Scotsman