Jefferies excited by Hearts return

30 January 2010 10:28
Jefferies, 59, was back at the club he managed between 1995 and 2000 on Friday night barely two hours after Csaba Laszlo was given the boot.[LNB]Laszlo was sacked after 18 months in charge when majority shareholder Romanov finally lost patience with the colourful and outspoken Hungarian.[LNB]The controversial Romanov could hardly have acted more swiftly to replace him, prompting suspicions this move had been in the pipeline for a number of days.[LNB]Jefferies, who left Kilmarnock less than three weeks ago, insisted he did not get the call until Friday afternoon, while he was out shopping in Edinburgh.[LNB]And he was already planning to surpass Laszlo's record as Romanov's longest-serving boss.[LNB]"Anything connected with Hearts gets my juices flowing," said the lifelong Jambos fan, who also captained the club during his playing days.[LNB]"It has been my club.[LNB]"Everyone appreciates clubs like Kilmarnock, where I had a great time and the supporters were great to me.[LNB]"It is a major achievement to be at one club for eight years.[LNB]"But it does not happen too often, coming back - Walter Smith did it - but we just have to wait and see.[LNB]"I hope to be here for two or three years.[LNB]"It will take me a few days and weeks getting to know the players personally.[LNB]"I have a few ideas but I am looking forward to that challenge."[LNB]Jefferies, who takes charge for this afternoon's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at St Johnstone, hopes to add long-time assistant Billy Brown to his coaching staff, which will be firmed up over the weekend and early next week.[LNB]Jefferies was the last manager to lead Hearts to a major trophy, masterminding their 1998 Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers.[LNB]He also achieved four top-four finishes in the SPL in five years before moving to the English Premier League with Bradford.[LNB]Jefferies, who captained the Jambos during his playing career, told the club's official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "It did not take me too long to have a chat with them as everyone knows I have supported, played and managed the club.[LNB]"I think over the years a lot of people have linked me with the job a couple of times and there was a groundswell of hope.[LNB]"It is like any job that you feel for a manager when he goes out. If I did not get it, someone else would.[LNB]"The discussions went well and I know how things work in the club and now we've got to a stage where it is just a fantastic feeling to be back involved at the club again.[LNB]"Hopefully people will be happy with that."[LNB]Despite Hearts being around £30million in debt, Jefferies believes he is taking over at "a great time".[LNB]"We're in the top half and we're in a cup semi-final. It is very positive," he said.[LNB]"It is not often a manager can come back and it has been nine years.[LNB]"Hopefully we can use the experience gained in that time.[LNB]"Although I am a bit older, the passion is still there for this club."[LNB]Laszlo earlier became the eighth manager given the boot since Romanov took control of Hearts almost five years ago.[LNB]The 45-year-old had the distinction of being the longest-serving by some distance, having been in charge for more than 18 months.[LNB]He paid for his persistent criticism of the club's transfer policy and his propensity for touting himself around for other jobs.[LNB][LNB] St. Johnstone v Hearts. Click here to bet.  

Source: Team_Talk