WHY ROMANOV SACKED BURLEY

GEORGE BURLEY was sacked as Hearts boss because Vladimir Romanov didn't believe he could deliver a class team on the park. The Jambos have started the search for a new boss with Romanov hinting he wants a Scot for the job.

And he joked if he can't find one he'll consider doing the job himself.

But with major Scots bosses such as Graeme Souness, Sir Alex Ferguson and Walter Smith already in top jobs, Hearts are set to renew their interest in Sir Bobby Robson.

The ex-England boss has indicated he is ready to talk again about the post he knocked back in the summer but only if he has no interference from above.

Burley left Tynecastle on Friday when underlying tensions with Romanov over player recruitment and team selection finally came to ahead.

However, even in the weeks before Burley's departure, the Lithuanian tycoon had told friends he doubted his former manager shared his strategic objectives.

He also raised doubts that Burley was the man to bring about the goals he has set for the club, including success in the Champions League within three years.

Romanov told a Russian friend: "I wanttheteam to do more than fight and scrap on the pitch. I want them to show real class and I'm not sure Burley is the man to bring this about."

Asked yesterday whether he was seeking a Scots coach or a figure from the Premiership or continent he said: "If I don't find the right Scot then I will take charge of the team myself."

As he returned to Lithuania following a dramatic weekend in Edinburgh, Romanov refused to elaborate on Sir Bobby Robson's remarks he is available to take over from former pupil Burley.

Robson,72,said:"I am interested but it would depend on the conditions, there's no getting around that.

"I know Hearts have a big ambition and a big motivation. They are already the third-biggest team in Scotland and want to be challenging Rangers and Celtic all the time. At this time that's what they are doing.

"But I have never stood for any interference from any chairman. A chairman should give licence to a good manager.

"Few chairmen I've ever came across have ever interfered with judgment of players,selection of the team or purchasing of players.

"The chairman can sign a player but it has always been the responsibility of the manager to name the player."

Romanov said: "It's too soon to talk about names."

But Jambos chief executive Phil Anderton is now waiting for the goahead from Romanov to set up talks with the former Newcastle and England boss Anderton has been involved in the hunt for a new boss since Saturday morning and although Robson is firmly on their radar he is not their only option.

Previous candidate Nevio Scala can be discounted, with suggestions former Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister was being lined up also wide of the mark.

Hearts hope to name their new boss within a month, in time for him to assess his players ahead of the January transfer window with a view to strengthening the squad still further.

In the meantime, first-team coach John McGlynn will take charge of the team, assisted by former FBK Kaunas coach Valdas Ivanauskas.

Again, reports Ivanauskas will be named new boss are being dismissed because he lacks experience.

In fact, he may not even have a long- term future at the club if the new man comes in with his own backroom team.

Anderton said: "Already we've had a series of enquiries, I've made a few of my own and I'll begin the process of meeting people this week.

"We were looking at Sir Bobby last time and it didn't work out. It's inappropriate to comment on him further at this stage.

"Let's just say we're interested in world- class operators and people can draw conclusions who falls into that category."

Anderton denies Romanov's hands-on approach with his coaches, which caused so much friction with Burley, will scare off potential candidates.

Anderton added: "I'll be conducting a worldwide search and it is not the case we already have someone lined up. One advantage we have is that we're top of the SPL, our profile has grown significantly and we're in a better situation than in June when I was trying to sell the position.

"Now I can say we're top of the league, playing to record crowds and with a majority shareholder who wants to become full owner and who has invested significantly in players.

"Mr Romanov said he wanted to challenge the Old Firm and people scoffed but we're top of the SPL.

"He has said we're going to win the Champions League and everyone is scoffing again, but I say keep on doing it.

"He is astute and if I was a manager I'd look and see a new club going places, with significant funds available to bring in new players,and that's very attractive."

Anderton admits he was saddened by the departure of Burley, with whom he worked closely during his 113 days at the club. He added: "George did an excellent job of getting the club top of the league. I'm disappointed to see him go but we move on and my job now is to make the transition towards the appointment of a new manager as smooth as possible."

Burley and his backroom team Simon Hunt and Mal Webster have all left the club and signed gagging clauses.

Sources close to Burley dismissed as "absolute bollocks" reports Burley and Romanov had a loud slanging match over dinner on Friday night as their frustrations spilled over.

Romanov's decision to part company was taken at a board meeting on Friday afternoon at which Burley was present.

Friends of Burley denied he had a job lined up amid speculation linking him with Everton, Fulham, Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland and even Rangers.

Other sources confirmed rumours about Burley's private life were not the reason hewas axed

Taken from the Daily Record