Laszlo linked with Romanian club

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 22:16

HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo is one of three names being considered by FC Universitatea Craiova to become their new coach.

Officials from the Romanian club – without a permanent coach since the departure of ex-Juventus defender Nicola Napoli in May – have already held talks with former internationals Gica Craioveanu and Ioan Ovidiu Sabau.

However, Craioveanu has returned to his home in Spain without yet reaching agreement with Craiova owner Adrian Mititelu. And ex-Gloria Bistrata coach Sabau has been told to lower his wage demands – thought to be 500,000 per year – before further discussions take place.

The achievements of Romanian-born Laszlo during his first season with Hearts – guiding them to a third-place finish in the SPL and qualifying for Europe – have caught the attention of Mititelu.

Craiova recently finished seventh in Liga 1 and missed out on a place in next season's Europa League on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Laszlo has advised Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov not to cash in on two of the club's prized assets this summer.

The Hearts board recently admitted sales are inevitable before the start of the season in a bid to reduce the club's debt, with Andrew Driver and Lee Wallace both linked with moves elsewhere.

Driver is currently with England at the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden, and Laszlo is aware that a productive tournament from the winger could see a queue of suitors pursuing him. And the Hearts boss also expects Wallace to achieve full international recognition with Scotland early next season if his recent form continues.

He said: "I don't like to lose Driver and I don't like to lose Lee Wallace. I would like to keep all the players in my squad. We need these players and we can't look to sell everybody. Also, these players need a little bit of experience. I think if they play one year more here in our team it is very good for them.

"Andy Driver grows slowly and will be interesting for the England Under-21 team.

"You don't know what the Scottish national coach plans and we must support his plan, but you can't ignore Lee Wallace. He will get his chance in the national team, definitely."