Hearts to hold job talks with Robson by end of the week

Ewan Murray
Wednesday October 26, 2005
The Guardian

Hearts will hold preliminary talks with Sir Bobby Robson before the end of this week with a view to offering the former England manager the vacant manager's job.

The chief executive Phil Anderton confirmed yesterday that he hopes to meet the 72-year-old former England manager as soon as possible. "We spoke at length to Sir Bobby before George [Burley] got the job [in July], and I'll be making touch with him again this week," he said. "It is a great honour for the club that he is interested."

Robson, who was sacked by Newcastle United in August 2004 and unwilling to work until the 12 months of his rolling contract were paid up, will be in Edinburgh tomorrow for the funeral of his former Fulham team-mate Johnny Haynes but a Hearts spokesman said it is unlikely any meeting will take place then.

Anderton was more reticent when asked if the former Parma coach Nevio Scala, who like Robson was approached before Burley took over, is also a candidate. "We have to be careful because sometimes people will just want a bit of publicity," he said. "Just because someone was in the frame five months ago it doesn't automatically follow that they will be now."

Hearts claim to have received 20 serious applications and Anderton explained why he took time out to speak to the players on Monday. "I wanted to meet them to quash a number of rumours and thank them for their efforts in beating Dunfermline on Saturday in difficult circumstances," he said. "Of course they are disappointed, we all are. But we have household names from home and abroad in the frame to replace him."

Hearts, unbeaten in the SPL, will be without their suspended captain Steven Pressley when Kilmarnock visit tonight. Paul Hartley is doubtful with a thigh injury and seems likely to be rested by the interim manager John McGlynn with the derby against Hibs looming on Saturday.

Taken from the Guardian/Observer