Paulo Sergio seeks clarification on Vladimir Romanov’s plan for Hearts

By ALEX SCHWEITZER-THOMPSON
Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 12:00

PAULO SERGIO sees his long-term future at Hearts, but the Jambos boss will ask the club’s hierarchy for clarification on the direction they wish to take the club before he commits himself beyond the end of the current season.

The Portuguese coach was tasked with winning titles at Tynecastle when he arrived as the successor to Jim Jefferies in August last year, but now feels majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov and the club’s board must make clear his job remit since plans were put in place to scale back spending on playing staff.

Sergio said: “Right now, I don’t know what the project will be [for next season]. I am very happy working in this big club. We are living with a lot of problems this season but I am working in a very good club and am proud to be at Hearts.

“I’m a fighter, like I’ve said before, and life is not just good things. Sometimes you have to put your neck on the line and do a hard job. It’s an honest job. It’s good to win titles and play in the Champions League, but there are other types of jobs for a manager, like those that are honest, that are serious. If you feel right – the way I feel in this city, this country and at this club – why can I not stay here until next season. But, that depends what we’re going to talk about with the board and everyone.”

Asked when he would like to enter into discussions about the plans that the Hearts board has for the future, Sergio said: “As soon as possible. I don’t want to wait until the end of the season because we should start thinking about the future right now.

“Everybody wants big things for their careers – I’m no different. When I came here, I was thinking about [challenging for titles]. Everybody knows the situation has changed, but it’s an honest job. It’s young boys trying to build something. I’d like to do it, with a solid project and a solid idea, with clarified targets and objectives, not having the feeling that you are here to win games and take your money at the end of the month.

“I need to feel like I’m part of a big thing – it doesn’t matter what that is, whether it’s to win a title, win a cup, or to put some young guys out playing good football and proving we can do it without money. It’s a challenge. But, we need to sit down at the table and make these things very clear.”

Meanwhile, Sergio admitted that, given the choice, he would have held on to recently-departed striker John Sutton, who has joined Central Coast Mariners, the runaway leaders of Australia’s A-League.

“We don’t have another striker with his characteristics – a big guy to put up front at certain times in a game,” said Sergio. “But, it was the club’s decision and John’s decision to move, with the point of view that we save one of the big wages we have here. I have to understand that. The style and the way I want my teams to play, that doesn’t benefit John’s style – that’s true. But, there are moments in the game that we need a player with his characteristics and now we don’t have it.

With transfer restrictions not in effect in countries outside Europe, Sergio admitted it was “possible” that more players could leave. In the meantime, his focus is on progressing to the quarter final stage of the William Hill Scottish Cup by beating St Johnstone at Tynecastle tomorrow.

“It’s a tough game against a good team who are having a good season,” said Sergio. “We respect them a lot. We don’t forget that they have beaten us twice. We know we have to work a lot to win the game and go through in the cup.”

Goalkeeper Marian Kello is doubtful with a back problem, but Sergio was hopeful that the Slovakian would complete a training session earlier today.

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33

Dirty Harry

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:29 PM

Saints putting much pressure on hearts.

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32

vladhibs

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:07 AM

good luck to perth's finest today, i hope you smash 'em

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31

pfhs77

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:04 AM

Oh Baldrick that is just quality...you dont know who is coming through the ranks and instead of finding out you are more interested in Hibs. I take it you were referring to your own club with your last statement? One thing I have for the hearts fans that think ther Undre 19's team is full of players ready to make the grade. Last years Celtic won the same league and released nearly all the players that won the double. Unfortunately certain clubs put youth teams together to win Leagues and beat the competition whereas Hibernian Football Club develop PLAYERS to make it to the first team. Had to laugh at someone on here go on about how well the youth policy had done to produce Templeton...he signed as a 18 year old from Stenny!!....then loaned him too Raith were they developed him!! Classic

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30

broonster

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 06:33 AM

Message to to Hammy, message to Hammy. I now live in New Zealand but I'm planning on coming back home to Edinburgh this year (or maybe 2013). I'd love to meet up with you during that trip just to laugh in your miserable, jamboid coupon as by that time your team of 18 year-olds will be languishing in the nether regions of the SPL. Can you give me an idea of which council scheme you reside so I can book a taxi to remove me as soon I've finished with you. Love, me :-)

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29

disenchanted

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 01:31 AM

First Green - You were previously asked, five times I believe, to provide evidence for your statement that Auchinleck Talbot had not been paid gate money for the cup game. You didn't reply - why not ?

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28

First Green

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 12:37 AM

#23 When have Hearts been "challenging in the league" this season? They`re currently in group pf teams fighting for top 6 place before split but nowhere near top of league. Did Sergio`s agent not know about Hearts`situation (financial,institutional,reputation etc) when he was offered job? Season had started so he took risk of accepting Hearts job (presumably on reasonable pay) instead of waiting for bigger club as others who were offered job did. Can`t see any reason to give him such understanding compared with other managers especially at a time of financial crisis in Gorgie.

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27

Baldrick

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:59 PM

26. Yes and no. I could name the youngsters but I'm too busy reading the Pirates balance sheet. It's not looking good I might add. Not good at all.

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26

pfhs77

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:47 PM

#24 Craig Gordon left Hearts in 2007.....is there still money tucked away for him? Also can you name these yougsters?

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25

Uncle Tam

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:44 PM

#20 I deduce that you are a supporter of one or other of the Old Firm. Yours is the typically intolerant attitude of the Glasgow clubs who have dominated Scottish football down the years by dint of wealth accumulated from pandering to the bigoted masses. If you are a Bluenose, I caution you, be afraid, be very afraid, your new owner might turn out to be more of a shady dealer than our Hearts' owner. If you are a Bhoy, without rivalry with Rangers, your attraction will wane. Two clubs fighting for the title every year can be interesting but with only one club dominating every season, it would get boring. As for your assertion that we Edinburgh supporters should just keep quiet, why not mind your own business? We'll get along fine without you and you'll be a happier chappie if you just refrain from looking at Hearts or Hibs threads. We know our teams are small time clubs on a world scale, but then, are either of the Old Firm on a par wirh Barcelona or Real Madrid? All things are relative are they not, old boy?

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24

Baldrick

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:10 PM

The article is a good one. Not only is Paulo entitled to be brought into the bigger picture but the Hearts supporters are as well. In saying that, Vlad has made it very clear that Hearts have to start breaking even financially. The Lee Wallace and Craig Gordon money will help and a few others can play their way into decent transfers in the summer. If Paulo is told that there is no money for buying players, he indicates in this article that he will accept that and do his best with the never-ending stream of promising yougsters coming through.

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23

View From The Shed

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:29 PM

#22 FG You,re forgetting he was brought in at the time the controversy was going on about the sacking of JJ. Sergio inherited palyers and a team he had no knowledge of and has not been allowed to bring in ONE player of his choice.He has done reasonably well to keep Hearts challenging at the top of the league despite the financial problems bestowed on the club since NovemberHe also had to adjust tot eh Scottish game and eventually altered the tactics to suit.He is also in a position of not knowing when another of his squad will depart.I can,t believe PS will not have warned his agent to be careful in his dealings with VR, unless of course he is trying to escape the fold.Would,nt surprise me if VR uses Sergios ambiton to get shot of him and his assistants to save money and appoint Gary Locke as manager on a lower salary!!!

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22

First Green

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:11 PM

What I don`t understand is why Hearts fans here go on about Sergio as though he were a great manager when he`s only got them to 4th and out LC to Falkirk, hardly a great record considering wages players are getting paid (albeit late). He failed with Sporting Lisbon too. Results in league and cup suggest Stuart McCall would have done a better job for example. Not sure of his contractual situation but I`m guessing this is his agent pushing for a move and Hearts possibly pushing for compensation IF any club is stupid enough to go for him. In Portugal it`d have to be a team of medium status and with Portuguese economy in a mess can`t see him getting more money than what Hearts are paying him (bet Vlad is now desperate for him to leave).

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21

01.01.73

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:49 PM

To Hammy and other Jambos who contribute here (i use the word contribute loosely ,by the way) What is or not happening down Easter Road way should be the least of your worries..Your owner is not interested anymore.He has new hobbies. Get of yer collective knees, and save yer club! We did

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20

Way Ahead Of You

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:39 PM

Oh Dear....the two Edina failures still droning along on the "We're Better Than You" drivel....no wonder the whole of the footie world laughs at the state of you lot....and the way things look, the pair of you have got the best years behind you (paltry though that is....pathetic records really.......but at least the Hibees don't brag about it, droning on about "glorious" history, when all they have to look back on is complete and utter nmediocrity ...all the more pathetic when you consider that their BEST years are behind them...with only games in public parks to look forward to........for such id the fate of the braggart,......Eh Jambozos??

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19

Uncle Tam

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:21 PM

Yak Farmer, a typically restrained and incisive post, exactly what we have come to expect of you, Sunshine. Saint, the crowing you hear from Hearts fans is their response to posts about 7-0, Albert Kidd etc. Do you think only Hibbies have the right to dish it out? For the record, my congratulations to Hibs on reaching the next round of the Scottish Cup, it was 1-0 and backs to the wall from what I gather but no matter, you are in the next round and that's what counts. Well done.

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