Scala raises doubts about where his heart lies

NEVIO Scala has appeared to cast serious doubts on his prospects of becoming the new manager of Hearts by claiming he would not be ready to take up the post for the start of the season.

The veteran Italian coach, who met Hearts major shareholder Vladimir Romanov to discuss the job, had been considered the favourite to succeed John Robertson.

In an interview with BBC Sport, however, Scala said it would be some time before he was properly prepared to make the move to Scotland.

"It is an interesting project but not one that I can take on right now," said Scala. "If they say to me that they want me right now, then I would have to say that the new coach will not be Nevio Scala.

"It would take me a few months to learn the language and more about the Scottish game before I can say 'yes, this is a project I can do'. I am waiting to hear back from Mr Romanov and I will hopefully speak to him next weekend."

George Foulkes, the Hearts chairman, last night reacted with surprise to the comments attributed to Scala and insisted the former Parma coach's position in regard to the Tynecastle vacancy is unchanged as far as he is aware.

"This is a quote to a journalist and we would have to check it before commenting on it," said Foulkes, "but Nevio has not said it directly to us and that's not my understanding of the situation."

Foulkes declined to discuss the state of negotiations with any of the other candidates for the job but did confirm that talks are still ongoing with alternatives to Scala.

"There are still more discussions to be had outwith the club," added Foulkes.

Chief executive Phil Anderton, the man most directly involved in appointing the a new manager, was unavailable for comment.

George Burley, the former Ipswich Town and Derby County manager, is still believed to be the most serious rival to Scala, although Hungary coach Lothar Matthäus has expressed his interest in the job.

Taken from the Scotsman