Burley's here

GEORGE BURLEY arrived in Edinburgh this morning to seal his move to Hearts and finally put an end to the club's agonising search for a new manager.

The 49-year-old Scot and his agent were set to conclude a deal with Tynecastle chairman George Foulkes and chief executive Phil Anderton.

Burley was expected to finally add his signature to a contract that will earn him more than £300,000 a year, with the strong likelihood of him being unveiled at Tynecastle tomorrow.

"George is in the city right now and things are pretty close to being concluded," said a representative of Burley.

"From our point of view, we are pretty much done now. I expect Hearts will announce something very soon."

The former Derby and Ipswich manager became the favoured choice for the head coach's job after negotiations with Italian Nevio Scala stalled, and he is expected to formally begin work at Hearts' Riccarton training ground on Monday.

Hibs boss Tony Mowbray today welcomed the potential arrival of his old friend and boss at his cross-city rivals. He described Burley as "an exceptional football manager" who would bring an exciting brand of football to Tynecastle.

Mowbray, who spent nine years working with Burley at Ipswich Town, admitted the prospect of having his old boss in charge of his Capital rivals was "a bit unusual".

Burley signed Mowbray for the Suffolk club from Celtic and together they enjoyed a fruitful time, culminating in Ipswich finishing fifth in the English Premiership and gaining a place in the UEFA Cup.

Mowbray said: "If George gets the job he will get on with his and I'll get on with mine but it would be a bit unusual probably with both of us having come from the same club where we worked together for nine years, me as a player initially."

Mowbray added: "George is an exceptionally good football manager who is very good at putting a team together and identifying players as he showed over a short period of time at Derby.

"He was very persistent in getting me to Ipswich at a time when I was not looking to leave Celtic but we had a great time at Portman Road.

"George put together an exciting team that went on for a good few years. We were relatively successful, getting to the play-offs each year, culminating in getting to the Premiership and finishing fifth."

While Mowbray and Burley worked closely together then, the Hibs boss revealed they hadn't kept in touch, saying: "That's the nature of football, for a number of years you are the best of mates then you move on and get on with your new life."

However, Mowbray believes Burley will bring his own style of football to Hearts, one based on the philosophy of Sir Bobby Robson who was his manager during a highly successful playing career at Ipswich.

He said: "If it happens I would see it as a positive for Hearts. George will bring a brand of football which is pleasing on the eye having been brought up on that at Ipswich under Sir Bobby."

Foulkes, meanwhile, said today: "I'm back in Edinburgh now and I will be meeting Phil. We will be talking through all aspects of the appointment and are awaiting the dotting of Is and crossing of Ts. Until that has happened I'm reluctant to make any further comments."

Taken from the Scotsman