Hearts manager applications flood in from across the globe

HEARTS have been inundated with applications for their vacant manager’s job as coaches from across the globe declare their interest in taking charge of the Scottish Cup winners.

Since Paulo Sergio confirmed he would not accept a new contract last week, dozens of CVs have been submitted to Tynecastle from coaches wishing to succeed the popular Portuguese. Some are from the United Kingdom, others from Europe and further afield.

Hearts are currently making moves to appoint a new manager in time for pre-season training commencing next month and have been greatly encouraged by the level of interest.

As revealed in Saturday’s Evening News, two CVs to have arrived are those of Oleg Protasov and Piotr Nowak. Protasov, a Ukrainian, is currently unemployed, while Polish coach Nowak is in charge of Philadelphia Union in the United States. Senior Hearts officials have confirmed to the Evening News that another Portuguese coach, Jose Couceiro, is someone who fulfils the criteria they are seeking. It remains to be seen if they will make an approach for the man who previously worked with Romanov at FBK Kaunas in Lithuania.

Closer to home, Jimmy Calderwood has declared an interest and Paul Hartley, presently managing Alloa Athletic, is flattered to be linked with the job but has not officially applied. Cowdenbeath’s Colin Cameron believes his managerial career is still too much in its infancy to be considered.

“If Hearts want to speak to me about a role at the club, I’d be delighted,” said Hartley. “It is flattering to be linked with a job as huge as the Hearts one. I must be doing something right.

“I spent some happy years with the club and they will always remain dear to me. But any talk just now is speculation. For now though I am concentrating on Alloa. I’m trying to bring in new players to build on last season.”

Calderwood admitted the intense competition to manage Hearts is no surprise. “I know they are cutting back and looking to place a bigger emphasis on youth but that would not put me off,” he said. “Hearts is still a great opportunity for someone. They are a massive club and I am sure the vacancy will appeal to plenty of coaches, not just in Scotland but south of the border too.”

Cameron said: “I have not had any contact with anyone at Hearts over the managerial job and I personally feel that it is too early for me. I really enjoyed last season at Cowdenbeath but I am still very much learning.

“There is no doubt that I would like to manage a club like Hearts at some point in my career, but my concern is that it would maybe be a bit too soon right now.”