FANS WANT THE TRUTH ABOUT BURLEY

The Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs have called for the Tynecastle board to clarify the situation over former manager George Burley.

The ex-Scotland international left Tynecastle before the 2-0 win over Dunfermline in the Bank of Scotland Premier League on Saturday.

Burley is believed to have been involved in a row with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov on Friday evening as their relationship disintegrated over team selection.

The SPL leaders cited "irreconcilable differences" for the exit of Burley, who had guided the team to a 10-match unbeaten run in the league.

Now, however, Federation secretary John Borthwick has urged the club to tell the fans exactly what happened to Burley.

He said: "My own personal view is shock and disappointment. George Burley was well respected by the players and supporters alike.

"Whatever the reasons he has gone, it is not down to results and performances.

"I appreciate the club have said for reasons of confidentiality, they cannot divulge the actual reason why he is no longer there. But the supporters deserve to know.

"We can only speculate there was a major rift in his relationship with Vladimir Romanov.

"It was also suggested to me on Saturday that Burley was speaking to another club. Supporters deserve to know what the reason is."

But Borthwick has also asked Romanov to allow the new manager to leave team selection to the new head coach - no matter who it is.

Hearts chairman George Foulkes admitted the new man would be made "absolutely clear the circumstances under which he is appointed".

But the federation secretary believes the Hearts hierarchy must allow the new man to select his own team.

Borthwick added: "It is important we appoint a new manager as quickly as possible.

"But, more crucially, we have to make sure it is the right appointment.

"It was very interesting that part of George Foulkes' statement claimed the circumstances under which the new manager is appointed would be made absolutely clear.

"To me, that suggests Vladimir Romanov wants to identify players and bring them to the club. And then he wants the manager to coach them.

"But it is important that team selection is down to the new manager, whoever it may be.

"However, it would seem that is not the case at the moment.

"We are grateful to Vladimir Romanov for what he has done for the club.

"But I cannot emphasise enough that team selection should be down to the manager."

Taken from sportinglife.com