Burley has no regrets over Tynecastle exit

Paul Kiddie

FORMER Hearts boss George Burley today broke his silence on his shock exit from Tynecastle, insisting: "I have no regrets."

Speaking exclusively to the Evening News after leaving the league leaders on Saturday in a move which stunned British football, the 49-year-old claimed things could not have gone better during his brief time in charge of the Jambos.

"I think I left the club in as good a position as it has ever been in," he said. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Tynecastle and would like to thank the supporters for their backing during my time there."

Burley, who was axed by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov just hours before the SPL clash with Dunfermline amid reports of a furious row between the pair, was delighted to see his former charges continue their magnificent start to the season as goals from Rudi Skacel and Michal Pospisil saw the home side complete the first quarter of the campaign undefeated.

Burley parted company with Hearts after just 113 days at the helm, the club stating "irreconcilable differences" as the reason behind his unexpected departure.

Having signed a confidentiality agreement, the former Ipswich Town and Derby County boss would not be drawn on the circumstances surrounding his "mutually agreed" exit.

He was quick, though, to praise the players for their efforts and urged them to continue the form which saw them storm to the top of the table, Celtic's win at Kilmarnock yesterday halving their lead to three points.

"I have left a smashing group of players who have a fantastic spirit and there was a great camaraderie between them and myself, which I think everyone could see," he said.

"Hopefully they can remain together and go from strength to strength. I haven't managed to catch up with any of them but hopefully I'll be able to do that soon."

As chief executive Phil Anderton met the Hearts players today at their Riccarton academy to thank them for their professional approach to Saturday's match, Burley remained philosophical as he set about planning his life away from Tynecastle. He said: "I thought I did very well for the club but nothing surprises you in football. That's life," he said.

"Who knows what the future holds for me?"

The Pars clash was the Jambos' fifth home win of the season in front of another huge Tynecastle crowd and the Gorgie faithful clearly made an impression on Burley.

"The supporters turned out in their droves almost from day one and we had sell-outs for virtually every game. Their support was greatly appreciated," he said.

Within hours of Burley's departure, Anderton revealed that he had already started the process of finding his successor with former England boss Sir Bobby Robson believed to be among the front runners.

Chairman George Foulkes today reiterated that the decision to part company with the highly-regarded coach was taken in the best interests of the club.

He said: "I would love to be in a position to say more to fans but due to the confidentiality agreement I'm afraid I can't.

"What I can say to the supporters is that all the decisions which have been made over the last 18 months have always been in the club's long-term interests.

"They can assume, then, it is the same with this decision.

"What has happened has happened and there is no point in going back to analyse it. It is all about the future now."

Burley was followed out of the Tynecastle exit door by his assistant Simon Hunt and goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster.

Former FBK Kaunas boss Valdas Ivanauskas is back on the scene at Tynecastle having spent the summer months in the Capital working on his UEFA coaching licence.

He will assist John McGlynn, who has been appointed caretaker manager, until a new man is found but it's understood the Lithuanian has no chance of landing the job permanently.

Taken from the Scotsman