Csaba Laszlo out, Jim Jefferies in on day of drama

• Jim Jefferies back at his spiritual home of Tynecastle last night. Picture: Dan Phillips

The former Kilmarnock manager returns to his spiritual home following Csaba Laszlo's sudden dismissal. The pace at which change occurred was illustrated by the fact Laszlo had begun the morning by holding a press conference to discuss today's match with St Johnstone.

By yesterday evening it was Jefferies who had been given the responsibility of leading Hearts into the fixture, and possibly a cup final on Tuesday when the Tynecastle side face St Mirren in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final.

"We recognise that Jim Jefferies is a man that understands Heart of Midlothian Football Club and our supporters," said director Sergejus Fedotovas as the appointment was confirmed at 7pm last night.

Jefferies was as thrilled as Laszlo was stunned by the swift transfer of managerial duties in just a few short hours. The Hungarian was at his post as late as yesterday afternoon but was called to a meeting at Tynecastle at 3pm with Fedotovas and non-executive director Vitalijus Vasiliauskas. By 4.30pm he had left the club, having been informed that his outspoken comments in the media could be tolerated no longer.

Laszlo is known to have angered owner Vladimir Romanov with continual references to the lack of players at his disposal, and absence of a top-quality striker. His own list of targets, made to the board late last year, was summarily rejected by Romanov. Even as recently as yesterday Laszlo made a joke about wanting to win the lottery so he could buy players. He had praised Romanov earlier this month for sticking by him for so long. Laszlo is the longest serving of all of Romanov's managerial appointments since he took control of the club in 2004.

Ironically, this comment had been provoked by Jefferies' departure from Kilmarnock after years in charge. It seems Laszlo had tempted fate though few could have anticipated that Jefferies would walk back into Tynecastle just over a fortnight later.

"We believe he has the ability to realise the potential of a very good squad of players," said Fedotovas. "He was the board's unanimous choice to become manager and we wish him every success in returning to Tynecastle."

Jefferies was contacted yesterday afternoon and was at Tynecastle by early evening. He met with the players at 7pm and called on skipper Michael Stewart for help as he prepared to select a team for today's journey to Perth.

Jefferies' last game in charge of Hearts was a 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Tynecastle on 4 November 2000. He left to take over at Bradford City after five years in charge. In this period he famously led the club he supported to a Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers in 1998. He could not hide his delight after returning to Tynecastle last night. "It did not take me too long to have a chat with them as everyone knows I have supported, played and managed the club," said Jefferies.

"Everyone knows the affection I have for the club. I think over the years a lot of people have linked me with the job and there was a groundswell of hope. I didn't give it any thought until I got a call this afternoon. It is unbelievable to be spoken to in connection with the job."

Jefferies, who left Kilmarnock after his relationship with chairman Michael Johnston reached breaking point, played down fears the same could happen at Hearts.

"I've only met Mr Romanov on two or three occasions," he said. "We spoke on the phone briefly. In the past, I always got on well with him. First time I met him, he asked to be introduced to me and he knew my connections with Hearts. I won't know until I get in there and work with him and hopefully that will not be a problem."

Jefferies also had some words of sympathy for Laszlo, sacked after 18 months in charge. His time at Tynecastle has to be considered a success in difficult circumstances. He was named manager of the year last season after leading Hearts to third place in the SPL. Although this campaign has been less distinguished, the club have lost only once in their last eight league outings. But his last game in charge was the undeniably disappointing 3-0 home defeat by Aberdeen on Wednesday. The same side had also ended Hearts' Scottish Cup hopes at the first hurdle earlier this month. "It is like any job – you feel for a manager when he goes out," said Jefferies. "If I did not get it, someone else would. It is just a fantastic feeling to be involved back at the club ."

Supporters gathered at Tynecastle last night as the news broke. Any anger at the departure of a popular manager was soothed by a legend's return.

"It is a great time," said Jefferies. "We're in the top half of the league and we are in a cup semi-final. It is very positive. It is up to us to get into the best form and play the way people appreciate.

"It is not often a manager can come back and it has been nine years. Hopefully we can use the experience gained in that time. Although I am a bit older, the passion is still there for the club."

Jefferies revealed that he was shopping in Edinburgh yesterday when he got the shock phone call from Hearts requesting a meeting and he did not think twice about returning to a club where he has fond memories.

The former Hearts player, whose highlight of his previous five-year spell as manager was winning the Scottish Cup in 1998, said: "I want to give the fans a good team to watch with a style of football.

"It was a cracking team in 1998 when we nearly won the league and won the cup and that's what we want to do again. I have maybe mellowed a bit, but the passion is still there. I had great players here with Gary Locke, Allan Johnston, Paul Ritchie and Gary Naismith and they have got another crop coming through. There was always a gut feeling somewhere I would be back, I didn't know in what capacity."

Jefferies admits seeing how Walter Smith has masterminded success at Rangers in his second spell at Ibrox left him in no doubt that returning to Tynecastle was the right option. He added: "I can see now why Walter went back to Rangers, you can go back and do well. Football is full of opinion, some people said you should never go back and some say you can. It can be done as Walter has proved."

"I have been linked two or three times and maybe it was not possible for a lot of reasons, compensation involved at the time, I don't know. The dream has come true and I've got a real buzz that I maybe missed at Kilmarnock because I was a long time there.

"I have maybe only got two or three years left in me and what a great club to come to and what a way to finish and go out on a high. After two or three years, I might have the bug to stay longer, but I will only do that if I can take the club forward."

Hearts captain Michael Stewart has backed Jefferies to fill the "massive void" left by Laszlo.

Speaking minutes after the squad were introduced to their new manager at Tynecastle last night, the midfielder expressed his delight in the way the club have wasted no time in finding a successor to the Hungarian. Jefferies, who left his post at Kilmarnock just 20 days ago, is sure to be welcomed with open arms by the Hearts supporters, and Stewart feels the players will be receptive to his arrival too.

"Everything has happened very quickly and I'm delighted we have got a manager in so quickly to fill the massive void left by Csaba Laszlo and thankfully we have been able to get someone in who is of a big stature to this club.

"Hopefully he can take things forward. I'm disappointed that Csaba has gone but I'm delighted we have been able to get a big manager in so quickly. That's the way things work in football and I'm sure Csaba Laszlo will understand that as well. As a group of players we have to look forward. We have a big game against St Johnstone and then on Tuesday we have a huge game, the semi-final of a cup against St Mirren and if we win that we are going to Hampden."

Stewart, who broke his self- imposed ban on speaking to the media, refused to be drawn on the circumstances surrounding Laszlo's departure. He added: "It's nothing to do with me, we have to focus on moving forward. It's nothing to do with the players who the manager of the club is, that's up to the board and they have decided that Jim Jefferies is the manager now."

Stewart formed a close relationship with Laszlo during the manager's 18-months in the hot-seat and is intending to speak with the Hungarian in the coming days.

The 28-year-old, who is out of contract this summer and previously said re-signing talks could be swayed by Laszlo's future, said: "It's no secret that I got on well with Csaba Laszlo and I've got a lot of time for him, what has happened won't change that.

"I will speak with him I'm sure in the coming days, but I'm not going to let that detract from what we are trying to do at the club. I would like to think Csaba Laszlo can go on and have a successful career and I'm sure he wants to get back involved as soon as possible."

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