Burley sacked by Hearts
Hearts have parted company with manager George Burley.
The former Ipswich and Derby boss had been in charge of the Bank of Scotland Premier League club for less than four months.
But the ex-Scotland international has left the club, despite guiding them to a three-point lead in the table his season.
Burley arrived at Tynecastle as part of the revolution promised at the Edinburgh club by new major shareholder Vladimir Romanov. The 49-year-old Scot had left previous club Derby in June.
Lithuanian businessman Romanov took over the controlling interest in February and took his shareholding in the club to 55.5% yesterday.
Hearts legend John Robertson quit his position as head coach before the end of last season after refusing to take a lesser position behind a new boss.
Ex-Tynecastle defender Gary Naysmith admitted he was stunned by the shock departure of Burley, who begun his reign at the club with eight consecutive league victories.
The Everton player said: “I was surprised, I was driving up to the game and a friend called me to tell me George was no longer the manager but I thought he was kidding me on.
“I got five or six calls after that from people who knew I was coming up to the game but I am really in the dark like everyone else.
“It is a disappointment that George Burley is no longer the manager.
“Look at the start they have had – they are undefeated in the SPL and it will be a setback.
“But the players are professional and they would have got up this morning ready to prepare for the game.
“You have got to clear your head and worry about things after the game.”
Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Celtic maintained the unbeaten run and kept the club three points clear of the Hoops at the top of the table.
However, the club are refusing to make any official announcement until after the game against Dunfermline today.
A Hearts statement said: “Hearts will make an official announcement at 6pm today regarding the club’s football management team.
“No further comment will be provided until 6pm.”
Burley brought in players such as Rudi Skacel, Julien Brellier and Roman Bednar at the start of the season.
But a rift between Burley and Romanov appeared to have opened up before the end of August.
When Brazilian midfielder Samuel Almeida Camazzola arrived at the club on August 31, Burley conceded he had no involvement in the move.
On Friday, Romanov announced an increase in his stake to approximately 55.5% and offered 35p per share in an attempt to augment his holding.
The Lithuanian is hoping to take his shareholding up to 90%, and, once he reaches 75%, it means he effectively becomes the owner and can de-list the club from the Stock Exchange.
