George on his own to handle hurly-burley

HEARTS have scrapped plans to bring in a director of football to the club, chairman George Foulkes revealed today.

The Gorgie side had identified the continental set-up of head coach working under a more experienced director of football as the way to take the club forward following the departure of boss John Robertson seven weeks ago.

However, that structure was to be put in place so that a less experienced manager would have the guidance of a more worldly footballing figure to call on and it's now felt that George Burley, who signed a two-year deal yesterday, does not require that helping hand.

That puts paid to any hope ex-Parma boss Nevio Scala, pictured right, may have had of playing a role in Vladimir Romanov's Tynecastle revolution with Burley poised to appoint an assistant in the coming days.

Foulkes told the Evening News: "We were looking at that [director of football] as that seemed to be a way forward. But now that we have George in place his title is that of manager and he will have full responsibility for footballing matters.

"If we hadn't got someone of his calibre then it may have been a dual set-up but because we have got someone of his calibre we feel he has the ability needed.

"The director of football role may have been needed if we had a young, up-and-coming manager from a lower league bit it's a different set-up now."

Burley's move to Tynecastle ends one of the most protracted searches for a manager in recent times.

Names like Scala, Sir Bobby Robson, Lothar Matthaus and Billy Davies were all on a short-list handed to chief executive Phil Anderton to sound out and while Scala opened talks with the club first, Foulkes rejected suggestions that Burley was second choice.

"We conducted a thorough search and spoke with a few people but we are happy that we have the right man," said Foulkes.

"Some people were worried that it was taking some time to appoint a manager but the fact we have done it in this way shows two things.

"It shows that when we parted company with John Robertson there was nobody waiting in the wings pushing him out his job and it was genuine as we said at the time that we just wanted someone more experienced.

"It's well documented that we spoke to Bobby Robson but George's name was on the shortlist alongside him not behind him. There were other managers that we spoke with as well but none of them were offered the job. After speaking with them and George we decided that he would be the best man to help the club realise their ambitions."

And those ambitions are great with 49-year-old Burley charged with trying to cut the gulf that exists between the Capital club and the Old Firm.

To break their dominance will require significant investment with the new boss targeting six new arrivals before the campaign kicks off in a little over four weeks.

Foulkes insisted that when Burley compiles a list of players he wants, Romanov and the board will deliver them. One of the reasons I was out in Vilnius recently was to talk to Romanov about the future and it's clear from our meetings that money is going to be made available," Foulkes said.

"What Romanov said to me is that we need to identify people to bring in and the money will be made available. It's not a question of what the budget is, it's a question of getting the right people in.

"We will try and help George bring in the people that he feels will make us a major force in Scottish football." Breaking the Old Firm's dominance in this country is certainly no small feat but Foulkes believes that the statement of intent that the appointment of a manager who took Ipswich into the Premiership and then into the UEFA Cup sends out will have the Glasgow giants nervously watching what unfolds in the west of Edinburgh.

Indeed, so confident in Burley's abilities is the Labour MP that he feels the Jambos now have the best manager in the country.

"I think the Old Firm supporters will be looking over their shoulders as this is a signal of Hearts' intent," he said. "With the greatest respect to Gordon Strachan and Martin O'Neill and others who have come into the Premierleague it's arguable that we have the best manager in Scotland.

"In terms of experience and also potential I think we have the right man.

"The fact we have gone out and signed someone of that ability is a statement of intent in itself.

"George Burley's name has been one everyone's lips and I think the fact that we have got him is a real coup for the club. George is highly motivated, highly articulate and he is a very impressive man."

Since Romanov's involvement with Hearts began the Lithuanian banker has had his doubters but Foulkes believes the capture of Burley should silence them once and for all.

"Getting Phil Anderton in as chief executive was the first step as I think he is one of the best sports administrators in the country and now I think we have one of the best managers in Scotland.

"As soon as it was even suggested that Burley may come here people were coming up to me and saying they thought it was a great thing and that our intent was serious.

"It's because of Vladimir Romanov's support that we are able to attract someone of the stature of George Burley. We wouldn't have been able to do that without him.

"Hopefully now this will show that he is backing up his visions for the club and I have certainly been impressed by him and what he has had to say."

Chief executive Anderton was the man handed the responsibility of persuading Burley that his future lay with Hearts.

The former SRU man spoke with numerous candidates and he echoed Foulke's belief that the wait had been worthwhile.

"It's been a long search for a new manager and we set out our stall to bring in an experienced manager because this is a big football club and we are ambitious," said Anderton.

"We wanted someone who has been there and done it and we are absolutely delighted we have found George Burley. He matches our expectations and fits the bill perfectly. He is a man who has played and managed at the highest level.

"We are delighted we have been able to agree a two-year contract with George. He will start today and has already started his planning."

The facts

Vladimir Romanov opens talks with Hearts over buying a stake in the club.

• September 28, 2004 - Romanov reaches an agreement to buy Chris Robinson's 19.8 per cent shareholding for £867,000.

• October 1, 2004 - Hearts announce their intention to remain at Tynecastle.

• October 29, 2004 - Craig Levein announces he is to quit Hearts to join Leicester City as boss

• November 29, 2004 - Hearts legend John Robertson is appointed to succeed Levein as manager.

• November 19, 2004 - Romanov acquires 10.3 per cent shareholding from Leslie Deans for £455,000.

• January 10, 2005 - Vote at Hearts egm confirms the club will remain at Tynecastle.

• February 5, 2005 - Acting chief executive Sergei Fedotovas announces he wants Hearts to eclipse the Old Firm. He says: "We want Hearts to be a symbol of Scottish football and do even better than the Old Firm."

• February 18, 2005 - Former SRU chief executive Phil Anderton reveals he would love to join Hearts.

• March 3, 2005 - Anderton installed as the club's new chief executive

• April 26, 2005 - Doubts emerge over the future of manager Robertson.

• May 6, 2005 - Chairman George Foulkes urges the board to give Robertson more time.

• May 9, 2005 - Robertson leaves Hearts after just six months in charge refusing to accept a lesser role at the club.

• June 7, 2005 - Hearts target former Newcastle boss Bobby Robson but the 72-year-old turns down a move to the Capital.

• June 9, 2005 - George Burley is touted as a candidate for the Hearts job.

• June 10, 2005 - Former Parma boss Nevio Scala admits an interest in becoming the new manager of Hearts.

• June 14, 2005 - Hearts admit German legend Lothar Matthaus is considered after revealing he wants back into club management although Burley and Scala remain the two frontrunners.

• June 29, 2005 - Burley agrees terms with Hearts.

• June 30, 2005 - Burley is unveiled as the new manager of Hearts.

Taken from the Scotsman