Hearts target Robson

Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton has said Sir Bobby Robson is high on the club's wanted list to replace George Burley.

The Edinburgh club cited "irreconcilable differences" for the parting of the ways with Burley, who has guided the team to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Robson has already warned Hearts he would not tolerate interference in team selection, amid speculation that majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov's influence at team level played a part in Burley's departure.
But Anderton has said Robson, 72, is still a principal contender for the job.

"We will revisit names on the original list because we are in a different situation now," Anderton said in an interview with a Scottish newspaper.

"Football moves quickly and Sir Bobby Robson was definitely one who was right at the top of the list.

"Vladimir and I met with him in the summer and he impressed us so much, the debate about his age is not relevant for me.

"He impressed Vladimir with his knowledge and standing and I think he would put far younger men to shame.

"Now we are looking for proven, world-class managers and he comes into that category. It remains to be seen whether he would go for us or us for him ultimately."

Hearts chairman George Foulkes appeared to fire a parting shot at Burley when he told a different Scottish paper: "There are plenty of managers and coaches who know how to deal with an owner with strong opinions.

"It is the same situation at Chelsea and Rangers. The owners of those clubs also have strong views on the game and it is just a case of knowing how to work with them.

"Diplomatic skills are required to work with an owner like Vladimir, but I think there will be a queue of top-class coaches coming forward now."

Taken from telegraph.co.uk