Money doesn't motivate Laszlo as he reveals he turned down offer in Saudi to fulfil dream of post in Britain

angus wright
CSABA Laszlo has revealed that he turned down a lucrative job offer from the Middle East in favour of managing Hearts and fulfilling his dream of working in British football.
The former coach of the Uganda national team claimed he was offered 'fantastic money' by a club in Saudi Arabia last summer but that he had his heart set on returning to Europe.

The much-travelled Hungarian, who previously managed Ferencvaros in h is homeland, also made it clear that professional ambition and his family were more of a motivating factor than money in his decision to quit Uganda last July and move to Edinburgh with wife Mariana and their two daughters.

"I was in Uganda and I had an offer from a Saudi Arabian club, but I wouldn't like to tell how much money I was offered for a half-year contract," said the 44-year-old.

"My wife said she would divorce me if I told her I was staying in Uganda. This is true, I don't lie, believe me.

"Why did I stay? I don't know, I am crazy sometimes.

"I told this story to a friend and he said I should lift a dustbin and put it over my head.

"But my wife understood why I didn't take the fantastic money on offer from the Saudi Arabian club.

"I knew I would like to come back to Europe. My target was to come back to Europe from Uganda and if I have success here I can always go to Saudi Arabia or similar countries.

"I am 44 and life has given me the chance to come to Scotland, that's great.

"Sometimes it's not always about money. Money has never been behind my moves. You do need money for your life and for the children especially – and in this job you never know when the door is going to close on you."

Following last season's disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, Hearts have made swift progress on the pitch this term since Laszlo's arrival a little over five months ago.

The Vladimir Romanov regime has seen several managers come and go but under the latest incumbent in the Tynecastle hot seat, the team now at least appears to have found some much-needed stability and currently sit in fourth place going into Saturday's Edinburgh derby against Hibs.

While Laszlo hinted that he may one day be tempted to return to manage in Germany, where he previously coached the youth team at Borussia Moenchengladbach, he insisted that it is his ambition to forge a long-term future in Scottish football and to keep taking Hearts forward.

"For me, it was very important to have a plan and to have a club you would like to improve," he added.

"At the time it was enough for me to stay in this continent.

"I also had an offer from Japan at the time. It wasn't for the money, either, but it was a very interesting offer. I waited and waited and today I am here at Hearts – and not for this money.

"My dream was always to work in the UK and I would like to stay a long time here – in Scotland and the UK – and maybe achieve more.

"If possible, I would concentrate on Germany and the UK, as I prefer the football there."

Meanwhile, Laszlo has been boosted by the news that David Obua could be back from injury for Hearts early in the new year.

The Ugandan utility man sat out Saturday's 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Aberdeen after suffering a groin problem against Dundee United the previous weekend.

There were fears that the 24-year-old could be out for up to six weeks.

However, hospital scans have shown that there is no tear and Obua will be back sooner than anticipated.

"David has had his scans and the news is there is no tear, which is obviously positive," Laszlo explained.

Obua, who can operate in defence, midfield and attack, has only made ten appearances for Laszlo's side since joining from South African outfit Kaizer Chiefs in the summer and will miss this weekend's derby at Tynecastle.

But Laszlo added: "He has a strain. He has been receiving treatment and hopefully will be back running this week.

"After that, we will see how he goes but he should be okay in the near future, which is good news."

Adrian Mrowiec, meanwhile, continues his recovery from a knee operation.

The Polish midfielder, who is on loan at Tynecastle from Kaunas, has not played for more than three months but returned to full training last week.

Taken from the Scotsman