ROMANOV DID WANT ME BACK

GEORGE BURLEY yesterday admitted he did turn down the chance to return to Hearts when Vladimir Romanov offered him his job back after his sacking at Tynecastle.

Burley was speaking as he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to boss Southampton.

He didn't want to dwell on the Lithuanian's approach and his controversial short time in Edinburgh, saying: "I'm not getting involved in that any more.

"He did want me back but that's all gone now."

But he did say he had no plans to raid Tynecastle for players during the transfer window.

However, after leaving two difficult situations in the space of six months at Derby and Hearts it could be Burley is walking into a ticking timebomb at Southampton with Sir Clive Woodward now his equal as director of football at the club.

Burley did at least start off on the front foot by managing to install the same coaching team he had at Hearts The appointment of his assistant Simon Hunt,who will be responsible for all scouting, and goalkeeping coach Andy Webster saw the departure from StMary'sofcaretaker manager Dave Bassett and Southampton's long-standing and well-respected goalkeeping coach David Coles.

Burley said:"I'm first-team coach and everything to do with the first team is my job. As far as coaching, bringing players in and out,nothing has changed at all."

He also dismissed any suggestion that because Woodward's experience was in rugby it should count against him in the football world where players measure success by the number of medals they have.

Burley said: "Look at Jose Mourinho, he was Sir Bobby Robson's interpreter and he hasn't done bad since then.

"I don't think Mourinho has too many medals and you wouldn't say he's a bad coach. "The key for any coach is getting the best out of people. I think it's important you're not just blinkered with one sport in football and it's good to look at other ideas as far progressing players.

"Nothing is black and white. Coaching is not black and white and the key is to get the best out of people to their ultimate ability."

Burley denied he had been for any interviews for other positions in football since leaving Tynecastle and claimed he had spent most of the last couple of months having a break.

He said: "I haven't applied for any jobs or looked at any jobs. The last two months I've been away.

"I was over in Argentina and watched football there and went away for a week with my wife on holiday and played a bit of golf so it's been nice just have a break." Burley, just as he did on his opening day at Hearts, took charge of his first training session yesterday.

He admitted the football man in him got the better of him and that he couldn't turn down the opportunity at Southampton.

He said: "After leaving Hearts it was a case of do you sit back or do you want to get back. I love being involved in football.

"I love bringing players through. When you look at the calibre of players we brought through at Ipswich and Derby and the success we had in the brief spell at Hearts it's been great.

"My wife and daughter will not thank me on Christmas Day but it was a situation that when it arose I had to think about and it was important I came to meet the chairman and Sir Clive to talk about it. Once the job was offered to me it was very positive."

Southampton, who are 12th in the Championship and four points off the play-offs Burley has been involved in five times before, kick off their festive campaign away to promotion-chasing Watford on Boxing Day.

Burley claimed to be under no illusions of the task in front of him but insisted it was possible he could once again manage at the topHe said: "It's not going to happen overnight, there's a lot of work to be done, but hopefully the club can progress into the Premiership.

"As an ambitious manager I want to be in the Premiership. I tasted success in Europe with Ipswich and that's where I want to go back to."

Woodward said Burley was chosen because he believes he's the right man to work with.

The former England rugby union coach said: "When I came to the club I wasn't paid to sit and watch players, I had a contribution to make from day one.

"The key thing to me, and what's happened now with the various changes that have happened with people leaving, was to find a coach I really wanted to work with.

"Once that's put to bed I think I can really operate in terms of all the bits and pieces on the outside. Everything is in place.

"I feel now with the change of structure I can operate and really make a contribution.

"The important thing is myself and George really understanding each other's role and making sure we work together. I have no doubt that's going to happen

Taken from the Daily Record