Ex-Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo 'not angry' at Romanov for sacking him

FORMER Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo has revealed how his sacking last month came totally out of the blue – but the Hungarian insists he's not mad with the club's owner Vladimir Romanov.

Breaking his silence on the events that led to his departure after 18 months in the Gorgie hot-seat, Laszlo says he was stunned about the way he was dumped by Hearts on the eve of a game against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

"I was expecting something would happen but not that," said Laszlo of the events that saw him take two press conferences on the Friday yet find himself having been replaced by Jim Jefferies a few hours later.

Laszlo added: "We had stabilised our performance and had a good run of luck with seven matches without a defeat.

"I met the owner four weeks ago. We discussed the problems and what else we needed to make progress. It was a regular meeting and nothing at all suggested my sacking.

"Then that Friday came and everything was fine until the afternoon. I was told the owner wants to talk with me. Vladimir Romanov announced that I am not employed any more.

"There was no justification made to me as to why I was being told to leave. Since then there has been no explanation regarding this case."

Despite that Laszlo, who is still living in Edinburgh, says he's not angry with Romanov and is adamant his time at Hearts will provide only good memories.

"The reason of the break-up is inexplicable and the timing was weird, too, but I'm not mad at the owner," added Laszlo, who nevertheless has sought legal advice about money he claims he is owed by the club.

"I've already wished them luck. We knew we were in a difficult situation but we gave our best. I'm grateful to Hearts and even to the owner. I was given the chance to prove my skills. I succeeded. Fans and players accepted me and loved me.

"Firstly, I want to end this situation around my contract. I've already shown my skills so I need to wait until an offer arrives from a club where I can work peacefully.

"I know when you work as a club manager a break-up can happen any time. But for a manager it's very important to leave with your head held high, just like I did when I left Hearts. I left the club in fifth place in the SPL. Last season we finished third and I was voted manager of the year. The facts speak for themselves.

"I don't think we played bad football. During the 18 months I was in charge, Lee Wallace made his debut for Scotland, Andy Driver made his England Under-21 breakthrough, Arvydas Novikovas with Lithuania and Eggert Jonsson with Iceland.

"I don't think players would have received that recognition for playing bad football."