Laszlo would 'definitely' discuss vacancy if SFA make approach

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 23:02

CSABA Laszlo insisted yesterday that he is not thinking about a return to international football – but then spent the bulk of a 26-minute press conference discussing the current Scotland vacancy.

The Hearts boss, who was previously manager of Uganda and assistant manager with his native Hungary, has been willing to discuss various vacancies elsewhere since the start of this season, when he was not allowed to sign the strikers he believes the team needs. On each occasion he has stressed his willingness to stay at Tynecastle provided he has the backing of the club's board, but his eagerness to discuss a move has suggested he is not convinced he will continue to enjoy that backing.

The key now appears to be whether he is allowed to make signings when the transfer window opens – a topic to which he again referred yesterday, after thinking out loud about the pros and cons of being an international manager.

"I haven't spoken with anybody," Laszlo began when asked if he was interested in succeeding George Burley as Scotland manager. "I think if it is possible to be manager of a country – it's indifferent which country – it must be a big honour for a coach.

"At the moment I'm thinking about (tomorrow's match against St Johnstone]. If somebody comes to the club and asks for permission to discuss with me, OK we can discuss, definitely.

"To be the manager of a country, this is always the highest you can reach. I had the honour to train Hungary and even Uganda and, definitely, I had the feeling of what it took to train a country."

Laszlo explained he was aware of some of the difficulties associated with the post, but said he disagreed with Graeme Souness's argument that a foreigner would not be able to do it. "It's not an easy job. Whoever will be manager of Scotland, the pressure will be there. He has the time to build a new team and a new structure. He must know a little bit about the Scottish mentality.

"Souness was one of the best players I've seen, but I see this a little bit different. Even if Scotland don't have very good results, we have a lot of good players, also in the (English] Premiership. And we have some players here who can be successful.

"Berti Vogts did not have good results, but you must not forget Rainer Bonhof who was very successful here with the under-21s. England have a very successful manager who is Italian, and so do Ireland.

"Even with my person you have a guy who stays in this country, not abroad, and is never negative. In football you have only one language – success."

Earlier this week, Laszlo suggested that Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov would not try to stand in his way if an offer came in from Hampden. "I do not think he would create difficulties if this happened," he said.

"Even though I have a year and a half of my contract to go, fortunately I have a buy-out clause. So if anyone seriously wanted me I would be free to go."

Still, for all that he has talked about other jobs over the past few months, Laszlo has continued to say that if conditions are right he could see himself staying at Hearts for the long haul. He said yesterday that his family were happy in Edinburgh – although they would not, of course, have to move home if he did get a job based in Glasgow – and stated that he was still working on a strategy to get Hearts back on the right track after a difficult start to the season.

"I am very happy that the owner of the club gave me a chance to work in this country. My children would like to stay here, and my wife is convinced now that Edinburgh is better than Kampala.

"If it's possible, I would like to go through to the (Co-operative Insurance] Cup final by beating St Mirren, and to convince the board that we need two new strikers. This is my strategy."