JAMBOS KO MIKO FOR MALO

HEARTS have handed a snub to Alexei Mikhailichenko and made Kaunas coach Eduard Malofeev as their new sporting director.

The Ukrainian former Rangers star won't be heading to Gorgie after Vladimir Romanov turned to former Belarus national chief Malofeev.

He is helping stand-in boss Valdas Ivanauskas put the players through their paces at their pre-season base in the south of France.

Malofeev, 64, took over as head coach of Kaunas in December and has led the team to 17 games without defeat in Lithuania, 17 points ahead of closest rivals Ekranes with half the title race to run.

Malofeev led Dinamo Minsk to the Soviet championship in 1982 and was in charge of Belarus between 2000-2003.

Before joining Kaunas he was head of the youth academy at another Vladimir Romanov interest, MTZ RIPO Minsk, and his appointment represents a major gamble for the Hearts owner.

Malofeev has never worked in British football and was forced to return home to Belarus earlier this year to recuperate after a health scare. He has the backing of Romanov, although his role at the club has yet to be declared.

However, Malofeev's arrival now strengthens the position of Ivanauskas, who could be appointed head coach on a permanent basis after leading the team to Scottish Cup success last season. Asked to comment on calling off the Miko deal, Romanov said: "When was it on?"

He's promised to tell Hearts fans about his coaching set-up for the new season tomorrow and two more coaches are likely to be added.

Taken from the Daily Record