Duffy lands Hearts director's job

ROB ROBERTSON and DARRYL BROADFOOT February 14 2006

PLAYER power has resulted in Jim Duffy, the former manager of Hibs, taking over as director of football at Hearts until the end of the season. His appointment came in the wake of a Saturday evening meeting between club owner Vladimir Romanov and a five-man delegation from the first team.

The players, led by Steven Pressley, were angry that Romanov had picked the team for the match against Dundee United last Tuesday and wanted assurances that that would not happen again. The Herald understands that the Lithuanian multi-millionaire could give no guarantees that he would not stop interfering in the players coming to Hearts as he was paying their salaries.

The players then made it clear they wanted a buffer between them and Romanov and Duffy fitted the bill. His appointment had been championed by Rix, one of Duffy's closest friends, who has been feeling more isolated and under pressure after a string of inconsistent performances.

"I will be the go-between in certain aspects but Graham will have the responsibility for picking the team," Duffy said last night.

"This allows Graham to focus on the job he was appointed to do. It takes some of the pressure off him because people don't understand the scale of the task."

Details of Duffy's contract were ironed out over the weekend and the man who was in charge of Hibs for 13 months was unexpectedly appointed director of football.

Although Duffy claims Rix will pick the team, both men have been in the dugout together for the past three games and it is ludicrous to suggest that the Englishman will not ask his friend for advice.

Duffy's appointment will come as a shock to Hearts fans who had been expecting a high-profile candidate.

Roman Romanov, the son of Vladimir and the club's chief executive, claimed earlier this year that they already had a director of football in place but he was "working incognito". That statement does not stand up to scrutiny, considering Duffy was out of a job until Rix came in to offer him a coaching role three weeks ago.

In the past, the Tynecastle club had talked to Sir Bobby Robson, Nevio Scala and Claudio Ranieri among others about taking over the role and always maintained they would bring in a high-profile experienced man who would be paid top dollar.

The reality is that they have brought in Duffy, who was manager when Dundee were relegated last season. He was also Hibs manager for most of the season they were relegated in 1997/98 before Alex McLeish took over with a few games left.

Last night a senior player told The Herald: "We are happy at the appointment of Jim, as Graham was being asked to do far too much. He was training us and trying to pick the team with Mr Romanov breathing down his neck. Hearts fans will be shocked to think a former Hibs manager is the new director of football but we needed stability at the club."

Taken from the Herald