PRESTON STUNNED BY BURLEY DEPARTURE

Former Hearts defender Allan Preston believes the club will be looking for "Nookie Bear" as their next manager after the departure of George Burley.

Ex-Derby and Ipswich Burley boss left the Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders before the 2-0 win over Dunfermline yesterday.

It is understood Burley was involved in a row with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov on Friday evening.

The former Jambos' boss was becoming increasingly infuriated by the Lithuanian in team affairs.

After Romanov increased his stake in the club to 55% on Friday, the two men are understood to have clashed, leading to the departure of Burley.

The Edinburgh club cited "irreconcilable differences" for the exit of Burley, who has left the Jambos on top of the SPL without a league defeat.

But Preston, who was sacked as Livingston boss a year ago, believes Romanov has made a massive mistake in allowing Burley to leave the club.

Preston said: "I'm appalled at the treatment of George Burley. They have lost the best manager they have had in a long time.

"For Hearts to get rid of him when they had gone 10 games unbeaten and sitting at the top of the league is terrible. Ridiculous.

"It is beyond the wildest dreams of Hearts fans to be where they are now but this situation sums the club up.

"They would be as well having Roger de Courcey and Nookie Bear for manager because Romanov just wants a puppet he can work.

"And the fans could end up asking 'What if?' at the end of the season.

"The supporters are still saying that after Hearts lost the league in 1986 to two Albert Kidd goals for Dundee on the last day of the season.

"People still ask 'What if Albert Kidd hadn't been playing?' or 'What if some of our players weren't down with the flu?'

"That could happen at Hearts if they lose the league - fans might say 'What if George Burley hadn't left?'. They will wonder that for evermore."

Taken from sportinglife.com