Vlad's Philopsophy

[Clerry Jambo]

By BARRY ANDERSON

Published on Tuesday 12 June 2012 12:00

 

 

 

VLADIMIR ROMANOV?S process for appointing a new manager intrigues virtually everyone. Exactly what credentials does Hearts? majority shareholder seek in a coach, and how are they identified? One thing is guaranteed, he is not short on options.

 

 

Romanov and his associates are currently undertaking this very task across in Lithuania as they seek to replace Paulo Sergio. CVs from all corners of the globe have arrived or been forwarded from managers who recognise Hearts as a club with potential for success. The applications are filtered before Romanov gets down to talking and then picks the new incumbent himself.

 

He has plenty experience of the process. After all, he has done it before a few times. Yet this time, with financial prudence a key factor, the appointment is perhaps more important than ever. Romanov will have his colleagues and contacts scouring for possible candidates and will doubtless have a few of his own worth pondering.

 

Sergejus Fedotovas, Romanov?s right-hand man and a Tynecastle director, will offer his contribution, as will Hearts? managing director David Southern. But ultimately, one man will make the appointment. Those who have been involved in the process know precisely what he will look for.

 

?It?s somebody who buys into the philosophy of how the club is being run. That?s everything from the financial side to the targets they want to set,? explained Charlie Mann, Romanov?s former spokesperson. ?Somebody who can help in a difficult situation and stabilise the club. There have been guys who are Hearts men and others, like Csaba Laszlo, who wouldn?t have known much about Scottish football but still made an impression. That was because of the quality of players at the club.

 

?Sergey will be heavily involved, as will David I suspect. They will come up with a shortlist and Vlad will probably talk to a number of people on it. He needs to be certain that the right level of communication is there, the right level of ambition is there, and the right level of buying into Hearts? philosophies.?

 

Being Hearts manager carries a high price if you don?t succeed. But if you do, the adulation can often drown anything that has gone before. Sergio is back in Portugal still overwhelmed by the events of May 19 and the hero-worship accorded him by Hearts fans. Working at Tynecastle can be extremely rewarding if you get it right.

 

?The way it worked when I was there was that Romanov asked senior people within the club ? like, Phil Anderton, Campbell Ogilvie, David Southern or even myself ? who might fit the role and the circumstances,? continued Mann.

 

?There is a major change now because the way ahead for Hearts is living within their means. They want to bring through younger players and cut the wage bill across the whole club.

 

?Romanov will sit down with people inside the club and listen to the names put forward. He also has other sources of information in Europe, who have come up with names like Csaba Laszlo, Paulo Sergio and others.

 

?The net is cast far and wide. Some people may have concerns about that because some of the names that come up aren?t always names known in this country. That?s part of what people need to get their heads around.

 

?Romanov has a much wider area of operation now than ever. Hearts, over the last few years, have been up there challenging and won trophies.

 

?Through Romanov?s funding and assistance, they?ve managed to challenge higher up the league.?

 

Even though Hearts? focus is now on promoting young players from their academy, Mann believes there will still be plenty managers willing to drive such a project.

 

?I would still say Hearts is a more attractive job than it?s been for some time. It?s always an attractive job. Since Romanov has been involved, the club?s profile is higher than it?s been for a long time. I think people see it as a job where they can make an impression and make a name for themselves.

 

?A lot of managers would really relate to the challenge of bringing younger players through, getting the most from the budget and still challenging. Remember, with the situation at Rangers, next season is an opportunity for non-Old Firm clubs to be up challenging. That?s a real attraction to people.

 

?They will be getting a lot of approaches from people for the job.

 

?We?ve had World Cup winners like Lothar Matthaus and Ossie Ardiles showing interest in managing Hearts. The club is very much on the map and people see it as capable of success. A lot of people will rise to the challenge.

 

?People can understand Paulo Sergio?s reasons for going in terms of the finances. But you can?t have a go at Hearts for cutting their cloth accordingly. Previously, people had a go because they were spending too much.

 

?It?s a very different world that everybody is operating in now and Hearts need to get this appointment right.?

[The Great Khali]

But... But but but... But...vlad doesnt care and will not be taking part in any new appointment.

 

[Dr. Sheldon Cooper]

The interesting thing about the Sergio appointment in August was the fact that Romanov wanted a European manager who played attractive football. Sergio won the Scottish Cup which would make me think that Vlad will want to go down a similar road this time round. The downside to that is that I would imagine that a European manager would demand higher wages, which we can't afford.

 

This time round, it would be wise I feel to employ a manager who has a history of working with a young squad on a tight budget, with good football being an added bonus. McGlynn and Houston are two names which have been mentioned, but they aren't managers who get their teams to play good football but by all accounts, they have done very well on a small budget and with a young squad. They aren't guys who I would want in the hotseat, but I could understand if they were on a shortlist.

 

There are many factors which need to be taken into consideration and I'm of the opinion that it's the toughest and most important appointment of Romanov's ownership, purely down to the circumstances at the club. There's one name that jumps out at me as a suitable candidate, but he'd split the support and I'm not sure if he'd come back here so soon but you never know.

 

What kind of football does Hartley's Alloa team play? I'm convinced he is a leading candidate, but there are many arguments for and against his appointment.

[JamboAl]

The interesting thing about the Sergio appointment in August was the fact that Romanov wanted a European manager who played attractive football. Sergio won the Scottish Cup which would make me think that Vlad will want to go down a similar road this time round. The downside to that is that I would imagine that a European manager would demand higher wages, which we can't afford.

 

 

 

 

I just wonder if this is a bit of a myth that we cannot afford an attractive wage.

While Sergio did (apparently) receive a lower offer, I still think he was part of a 3 man cost package whereas someone coming on his own would not be. I am guessing that whoever comes in will have to work with GL as his assistant or, if GL becomes manager, the assistant would be an experienced veteran who would be able to hold Lockie's hand while he gets up to speed.

[rudi must stay]

But... But but but... But...vlad doesnt care and will not be taking part in any new appointment.

 

 

It's his money. And due to that it'll be a Lithuanian no man, not a yes-man because weve moved on since those days.

[wavydavy]

The interesting thing about the Sergio appointment in August was the fact that Romanov wanted a European manager who played attractive football. Sergio won the Scottish Cup which would make me think that Vlad will want to go down a similar road this time round. The downside to that is that I would imagine that a European manager would demand higher wages, which we can't afford.

 

This time round, it would be wise I feel to employ a manager who has a history of working with a young squad on a tight budget, with good football being an added bonus. McGlynn and Houston are two names which have been mentioned, but they aren't managers who get their teams to play good football but by all accounts, they have done very well on a small budget and with a young squad. They aren't guys who I would want in the hotseat, but I could understand if they were on a shortlist.

 

There are many factors which need to be taken into consideration and I'm of the opinion that it's the toughest and most important appointment of Romanov's ownership, purely down to the circumstances at the club. There's one name that jumps out at me as a suitable candidate, but he'd split the support and I'm not sure if he'd come back here so soon but you never know.

 

What kind of football does Hartley's Alloa team play? I'm convinced he is a leading candidate, but there are many arguments for and against his appointment.

 

 

 

Houston, yes but McGlynn, no thanks.

[Glamorgan Jambo]

Good to see that Charlie Mann understands what the process will be so well.

 

Wonder if he'll have input again this time.

 

Or maybe as he's on the outside he's just guessing....