BROKEN HEARTS

CONSPIRACY theories fell like confetti last night over the bizarre sacking of George Burley from Hearts.

Sources close to the former Ipswich and Derby manager cited a fall-out with chairman Vladimir Romanov over his refusal to select players bought by the Lithuanian banker.

Others within Tynecastle believe Scotland's version of Roman Abramovich acted ruthlessly to prevent Burley joining another club and taking his top players with him.

Hearts last night denied they had received any approaches for a man who has quickly emerged as the hottest available property in the managerial market.

Instead they cite "irreconcilable differences" between the Scot and the Lithuanian after a major row on Friday.

The only sure thing is the Hearts fairytale is now in serious danger - and Burley will not be out of a job for long.

The former Ipswich and Derby boss had made a sensational start to his first job north of the border by leading Hearts on an unbeaten run of 10 league games to stand top of the Scottish Premier League. They beat Dunfermline 2-0 on Saturday with goals from Rudi Skacel and Michal Pospisil.

For the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in 1986, there was a real possibility of a team outside the Glasgow giants of Rangers and Celtic winning the title.

Romanov, worth £267m, supplied the cash behind this revolution.

A former submariner in the Russian navy, he was hailed as a hero when he took control of the club in February and prevented the sale of historic Tynecastle to pay off the club's £20m debt.

But he was not prepared to invest a portion of his fortune in the Edinburgh club and stand idly by. Romanov also wanted a piece of the action.

Tensions were evident early in Burley's four-month reign when Senegalese Ibrahim Tall and Lithuanian Saulius Mikoliunas were bought by Romanov and not played by the Scot. And when Brazilian midfielder Samuel Almeida Camazzola arrived at the club on August 31, Burley admitted: "I haven't seen him play live or on video - it was Mr Romanov who brought him in.

"It is not ideal for me but that is the situation and, if Mr Romanov hadn't been involved with this club, you wouldn't have the side we have at the moment."

Even after the victory over champions Rangers last month, Burley was called before Romanov to explain why his signings were not featuring more in the side. It is believed then the Scot knew the writing was on the wall.

The final straw came last week when Romanov brought in former German international Fredi Bobic for a three-day trial.

Again this was done without Burley's knowledge and the Scot ended the "trial" after only two days. Romanov was reported to be furious. By the end of the week, Burley had gone.

Hearts chairman George Foulkes said: "I can understand the bewilderment but these things happen in football."

Burley returns to his Ipswich home to await his next job offer.

He is immediately available after Romanov agreed to pay up in full his contract and those of his No.2 Simon Hunt and goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster.

Taken from the Mirror