Dream team for Hearts

HEARTS today confirmed that they will make available whatever amount of money is necessary to facilitate their preferred "dream-team" coaching structure of a director of football and a head coach. Chairman George Foulkes revealed that he has been assured by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov that money will be released to implement high-profile personnel in both roles, with Sir Bobby Robson and Claudio Ranieri understood to be favourites for the respective positions. Their reputations would precede them in Edinburgh and as such both would command hefty salaries, but Hearts are putting no limit on the money that will be made available to find the right successors to George Burley.

Ranieri and Robson were interviewed by Romanov and Hearts' chief executive Phil Anderton in Edinburgh yesterday and have already expressed their interest in working for Hearts, and Foulkes is intrigued by the prospect of bringing two such household names to Tynecastle.

"Employing a director of football and a head coach is definitely our preferred option," said the chairman.

"We are discussing the possible structure with each candidate we interview because we want to consult each person to unearth what preferences they may have.

"Ultimately, it will depend on the people we speak to and who we decide to bring in.

"There will be absolutely no problem with cost because I have spoken with Mr Romanov and he has told me that money will be available for whatever structure and candidates we decide on. He wants the best for Hearts."

Ranieri said today: "I think the Hearts project is a good one for me. I have a had a meeting with Mr Romanov and it was a good approach."

Other names being linked with the job are Nevio Scala, Lothar Matthaus and the former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, all of whom would be certain to command a considerable amount in wages. Foulkes went on: "We are reluctant to mention names in connection with the two positions because it is unfair until we decide on the men we want, but it is true that we are hoping to restructure the management side of the club."

Hearts have confirmed that they will not have a new manager in place in time for tomorrow's Edinburgh derby and, as such, John McGlynn will continue in his role as caretaker manager assisted by the Lithuanian Valdas Ivanauskas. The pair have won their first two games in temporary charge against Dunfermline and Kilmarnock.

Romanov had made clear his intentions to adopt a continental coaching structure involving a director of football during the summer, but he reneged on that intention at the request of Burley, who did not wish to have a superior figure operating above him nor a specific assistant beside him.

Romanov said: "I think a big problem in Scottish football is that you have a gap in the organisational structure of clubs created by the absence of a director of football role.

"What is important is that I have a relationship with the head coach or manager whereby he makes it clear to me if we are buying a player what the particular motivation is for buying that player."

Taken from the Scotsman