Published Date:
11 June 2008
By BARRY ANDERSON
GUDJON THORDARSON is one of three names on Vladimir Romanov's shortlist for the Hearts managerial vacancy, and the Evening News can reveal that Slovakian Vladimir Weiss and Belarussian Andrei Zygmantovich are the others.
Contrary to reports there will be no unveiling of a new manager at Tynecastle tomorrow with all three contenders due for further talks. Thordarson is currently in charge of IA Akranes in Iceland. He has been previously linked with Hearts and would be keen to employ Scotland assistant Terry Butcher as part of his managerial team.
However, as yet there has been no official approach by the Jambos to his club. Toddy Gudjonsson, the Akranes chief executive who is also Thordarson's son, said today: "Of course, we heard about this in the winter.
"However we haven't heard anything about this since and there hasn't been an approach at all. This is the first I've heard of it again, this morning."
Thordarson can point to previous experience of British football with Stoke City and has earned himself a reputation as a strict disciplinarian.
The Icelander had been set to become caretaker boss of Hibs in 2004, but made a dramatic U-turn on the day he was going to sign and the job later went to Tony Mowbray.
As Romanov keeps his options open, Hearts have also approached Artmedia Bratislava coach Weiss as a potential candidate for the position.
The 43-year-old Slovakian has emerged as a surprise contender and is extremely keen on the prospect of defecting to Scotland. However, Artmedia officials maintain that further talks with Romanov are essential before they would consider allowing their head coach to leave.
Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, Artmedia general manager Petr Kaspar confirmed: "Hearts are interested in our manager and we have already had some talks with them, but nothing is finalised yet. I will try to talk more with Mr Romanov this week. Mr Weiss is very interested in becoming the manager of Hearts, he realises they are a big club in the Scottish Premier League but we will need more discussions with their people first."
Weiss guided the club to a league and cup double last season, winning the championship by an 11-point margin.
He also masterminded Artmedia's 5-0 annihilation of Celtic three years ago in a Champions League qualifier, eventually eliminating Gordon Strachan's side 5-4 on aggregate.
He is known to speak some English but is not fluent and has no experience of UK football.
He does speak good Russian, however, having managed Saturn Ramenskoye in Moscow, which will appeal to Romanov.
Zygmantovich remains an outside bet having worked previously for Romanov at both of his eastern European clubs, MTZ Ripo and FBK Kaunas.
The majority shareholder is keen to recruit a new manager before the end of the month to allow pre-season training to commence under a permanent appointment.
-
Last Updated:
11 June 2008 1:45 PM
-
Source:
Edinburgh Evening News
-
Location:
Edinburgh
-
Related Topics:
Heart of Midlothian FC
