Ex-Hearts star Ryan Stevenson: I'm not surprised Paulo Sergio hasn't been offered a new deal.. the bizarre is just the norm at Tynecastle

May 22 2012 Exclusive by Gordon Parks

RYAN STEVENSON admits he isn’t surprised Hearts boss Paulo Sergio hasn’t been offered a new contract following the Scottish Cup victory.

But the ex-Jambo believes the failure to hand the manager a new deal could be the most damaging chapter yet in the bizarre tales of the unexpected under Vladimir Romanov’s reign.

The Ipswich midfielder, who moved south in January after going on strike at Tynecastle in a dispute over wages, reckons Sergio’s departure will signal a summer of misery for the fans.

He said: “I read Paulo’s comments about wanting to stay at Hearts but being offered nothing as yet and I just shook my head.

“It may be baffling to some that he hasn’t been tied down but not to anyone who knows how the club is run under Mr Romanov.

“It’s an incredible situation but the bizarre is just the norm for Hearts with Romanov making the decisions.

“They are the only club who can allow the fans to go from the euphoria of a Scottish Cup win at Hampden to a summer of trauma by allowing the people who brought success to walk away.

“My fear is the fans are the ones who are in for a desperate few months of watching their manager, coaching staff and star players heading out the front door at a time when the club should be building on their success.

“Anyone who has been involved with Hearts knows how the club do their business and it would be a shambles if Paulo left Tynecastle.

“Mr Romanov should be doing everything in his power to keep Paulo but it looks as though it won’t happen and it’s a sorry state of affairs.” Stevenson believes the situation is made worse by the fact his old gaffer is just getting into his stride with the Jambos.

After watching Sergio end his first campaign in charge with an emphatic 5-1 Cup Final win over Hibs, the 27-year-old is adamant the best is still to come from the Portuguese gaffer.

He said: “Paulo came in at the start of the season and with no preparation has managed to bring harmony to a club which had to endure horrendous problems off the pitch.

“He is only just settling into the post and I’m convinced he would do an even better job next season having gained experience of the Scottish game.

“To win the Scottish Cup in his first year at Hearts is a remarkable feat and he should be asked to build on that rather than being given his jotters.

“Hearts are the third biggest club in Scotland but with the problems at Rangers just now next season would be a great chance for them to finish second.

“Instead of moving forward with confidence, the club could go the other way if there is an exodus of the best people at Tynecastle.”

Taken from the Daily Record