Hearts don't want a manager from the Scottish mafia insists Romanov

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov believes Scottish managers who operate in their own country are unable to rise above a certain level and are hampered by being part of what he referred to as a "local footballing mafia".

The Lithuanian-based businessman last night broke his lengthy silence as Hearts continue the search for a new manager, giving his first media interview in over two years. It follows the announcement on Monday of a 'debt for equity' plan to remove £12 million of debt from the club's balance sheet. The proposal is set to be ratified at an extraordinary general meeting at the end of this month and Hearts fans will hope a new manager is also in place by then. If so, the chosen candidate is unlikely to be Scottish, with Romanov describing Mark McGhee's decision to stay at Motherwell rather than accept an offer to manage Hearts as "not necessarily a bad thing".

McGhee looked set to agree terms with Romanov in May, but a sudden about-turn which saw him remain with Motherwell left Hearts back at square one.

Asked if he was disappointed to lose out on McGhee, Romanov was philosophical. "It is not necessarily a bad thing," he told the BBC. "It is difficult for local managers to rise above that level."

Romanov appeared to suggest that Scottish managers are too set in their ways and are overly dependent on long-time associations with colleagues. He returned to familiar theme and referenced a "Scottish footballing mafia", something he believes is harming the game in Scotland.

"Scottish people, as we have discussed previously, are part of the local structure and local footballing mafia, and it is very difficult for them to rise above that level," he claimed.

While he did not rule out appointing a Scotsman – "never say never," he said – it seems certain that the Tynecastle club's next permanent manager will be foreign. Stephen Frail, who took charge on an interim basis last season, was told to stay away from the club two weeks ago, as the players gathered for pre-season training.

Romanov described Frail's promotion last season as something that did not work out as planned. "In the end that didn't bring any good result," he said. "We nearly fell into the lower league."

Romanov also said that he has no intention of quitting the club – but would be willing to listen to offers if the price was right.

Former Hearts chairman George Foulkes reacted to Romanov's re-emergence with surprise. "The whole thing is bizarre, and the number of contradictions are piling up," said Foulkes. "First of all, we were told Mr Romanov didn't want to speak to the media, then all of a sudden he speaks.

"The club spent five months pursuing a Scottish manager, then we hear that it is apparently impossible to hire such a person. Supporters must be perplexed when hearing such mixed messages.

"Comments regarding a Scottish mafia make the club look a laughing stock."