Scala willing to mend Hearts after Burley

Nevio Scala, the former manager of Parma, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk, last night declared himself "very, very interested" in taking over at Heart of Midlothian, following the abrupt sacking of George Burley as manager of the Scottish league leaders on Saturday, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

Scala, 57, was originally favourite for the post when the club's principal shareholder, Vladimir Romanov, headhunted candidates in June but the Italian asked for time to improve his English and become familiar with the Scottish game.

Romanov, who was anxious to fill the position in time for pre-season training, appointed Burley, who was immediately available. However, the change in Hearts' status over Burley's brief tenure, of 113 days, has caused some former candidates to rethink their attitude to the job.

For all Romanov's ambitious talk of building a team capable of rivalling Celtic and Rangers, and making an impact in Europe, it was acknowledged by the Hearts chief executive, Phil Anderton, in June that many would be sceptical about what could be achieved at a club with a stadium and support base considerably smaller than those of the Old Firm pair.

Sir Bobby Robson was first to cast his hat into the ring after Burley's departure, having declined an approach by Romanov four months ago, when he cited personal reasons. "My circumstances are different now. It's an attractive job and I left Mr Romanov on good terms," Robson said yesterday.

Scala likewise has been impressed with Hearts' transformation. He told the Telegraph: "I was hunting all day on Saturday and I didn't know anything about the events at Hearts. I will be very glad to talk if Mr Romanov wants to pick up the phone. I talked to Mr Anderton in the summer and everything was very professional.

"I still need to practise my English, and since the discussions fell through I haven't followed the Scottish game in detail - although I know Hearts are top of the league - but I would be very, very interested in the position there. I asked for time to prepare myself in the summer because I am a serious coach and don't want to go somewhere where I would make a mess.

"I am in touch with Mr Romanov's niece, Julija, in Milan to see whether I can go to Edinburgh for Hogmanay. If Mr Romanov wants me, I can come."

The interest expressed by candidates with the experience and reputation of Robson and Scala has encouraged the Hearts directors who, like the club's support, are still coming to terms with the implications of Burley's sudden sacking. It was no secret that Burley, an old-style British football manager who believes that the direction and composition of the team is the preserve of the manager, was at loggerheads with Romanov over who had the real say in player selection and identification of transfer targets.

"Two obstinate men, but only one winner," is how a Hearts insider described the increasingly volatile situation.

The explosion occurred late on Friday afternoon, a few hours after Romanov had disclosed his bid to increase his holding in the club -from 29.5 per cent to 75 per cent, or more - and allow himself autonomy of decision making.

Romanov stayed on at Tynecastle during the afternoon and he and Burley decided to have a late working lunch. It was during this meal that owner and manager began to argue; staff overheard their voices raised in anger as the dispute headed for its inevitable conclusion.

Burley's ejection did not prevent the stunned Hearts players from beating Dunfermline 2-0 to maintain their leadership of the SPL and their belief that they can live with Celtic and Rangers.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk