Rix axed in new Hearts turmoil

The capacity of Hearts fans for astonishment at the antics of the club's autocratic owner, Vladimir Romanov, has at last been exhausted, to judge by the reaction to yesterday's departures of Graham Rix and Jim Duffy.

Only last Friday, the Hearts chairman, Roman Romanov - Vladimir's son - insisted that Rix's tenure as coach would extend to the end of the season, likewise Duffy, appointed director of football in January.

The pair were preparing for a normal morning when the axe fell. "We had been in from 9am and were ready for training," Duffy told The Daily Telegraph. "We'd had a coffee and were getting changed when Graham got a call to go and see Roman Romanov, then I got a call from Graham.

"We were on short-term contracts and were realistic about our prospects but the timing of this more than surprised us."

Hearts' 1-1 draw with Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday preserved their second place in the Scottish Premier League as well as a six-point advantage over the Ibrox side in the chase for a qualifying berth in next season's Champions League. The Tynecastle side are also favourites for the Scottish Cup and meet Hibernian in the semi-finals at Hampden Park a week on Sunday.

The players were told of the sackings by Roman Romanov, at the Hearts training base at Riccarton. Steven Pressley, the Hearts captain, was yet again called to disclose the players' mood to the media. "I think you could call this deja-vu," he said.

"Roman spoke to the squad this morning and explained that Vladimir Romanov hadn't been entirely happy with results and felt that change was required. We are exceptionally disappointed that Graham has left but I wouldn't say we were surprised."

On the subject of the man whose capricious actions have repeatedly unsettled the dressing-room at crucial times, Pressley would say only: "Vladimir is the man who makes decisions at this football club and as players we have to accept them."

The chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust, Derek Watson, was also phlegmatic about the day's events. "Graham Rix was on a short term contract, so I am surprised rather than shocked at the news.

"The majority of the fans will accept it because Mr Romanov runs the club, owns 81 per cent of the shares and, without him we wouldn't be anywhere."

Rix's appointment in November was itself a substantial surprise, given that by his own admission, he had applied unsuccessfully for over 30 jobs before being offered the position of first-team coach at Tynecastle.

Rix succeeded George Burley, sacked while Hearts were top of the league and then asked to come back again by Vladimir Romanov - Burley refused - after high profile candidates like Sir Bobby Robson and Claudio Rainieri had been interviewed and rejected because they would cost too much.

Many, perhaps most, Hearts fans were disturbed by the fact that Rix had a conviction for sex with a 15 year-old girl, and even those inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt were unimpressed by a start that gave him one win in five outings.

In February there was another shock when Rix told his players that he was 'not currently in charge of team selection' and in the next two games Hearts dropped five points against Dundee United and Aberdeen.

Perhaps the hint that should have alerted Rix and Duffy came from Roman Romanov last Friday when he observed that 'Hearts draw games that Celtic win' - followed by yet another tied game on Sunday.

Valdas Ivanauskas, Hearts' Lithuanian assistant coach, will take charge until the end of the season.

• The Bank of Scotland will not be renewing their sponsorship of the Scottish Premier League once their present, nine-year deal ends in 2007.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk