Source: Team_Talk
Sergio living a day at a time
Hearts boss Paulo Sergio vowed to live for the moment as he brushed aside questions over instability at the club under owner Vladimir Romanov.[LNB] Sergio was on Wednesday introduced as the club's ninth manager since Romanov took over in February 2005 - John McGlynn and Eduard Malofeev also performed the role on a temporary basis - amid growing resentment among some fans over the Russian-born businessman's leadership style.[LNB]Jim Jefferies was removed from his position despite leading Hearts to third place in the SPL, and after his team drew 1-1 at Ibrox and against Europa League opponents Paks in Hungary in their opening two matches this season.[LNB]Hearts lost 1-0 at home to Dundee United on Sunday, but Jefferies' fate appears to have been decided beforehand - Sergio revealed his agent had told him of the club's interest "last weekend".[LNB]Romanov on Wednesday hit out at the "media monkeys" and "fools and idiots" who failed to raise "questions and suspicions" over a run of one win in 14 games stretching back to last season.[LNB]However, a lack of cover for injured striker Kevin Kyle contributed heavily to that statistic and the timing of Romanov's move is unquestionably bizarre - three days before the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round - and given Jefferies brought in four players this summer.[LNB]Romanov's previous record includes disposing of George Burley when Hearts were top of the league. Not surprisingly then, former Sporting Lisbon manager Sergio is not making long-term plans.[LNB]"When you look so far you forget to be happy today," Sergio said at the club's pre-match media conference for the visit of Paks on Thursday.[LNB]"Let's live a day at a time. Each day we get up in the morning I want to be the most happy person today. And tomorrow, we will think.[LNB]"But today it's my approach to be 100% focused on our goals. That's the way I live."[LNB]When pressed on Romanov's past history, Sergio said: "I wasn't here in the past. I just met him on Monday when I arrived here - that was my first contact with the owner.[LNB]"I don't think about that. I'm going to work every day with a big motivation and to concentrate on my job.[LNB]"The guys that have the powers to make those decisions, when the day arrives they are not satisfied with my job, okay, I pack my bag and I go elsewhere.[LNB]"At this moment I think about beating Paks, all my energy is on Paks."[LNB]The Portuguese repeatedly side-stepped questions about what he is expected to achieve at Hearts and whether third in the SPL is good enough, but he understands why there is anger over the departure of Jefferies.[LNB]"I can tell the fans what I told the players," said Sergio, who declared he had been well-received in the dressing room. "I'm glad they aren't satisfied with the change - that's a sign of their character.[LNB]"They respect Jim a lot, as I do. They respect Hearts and a legend like Jim.[LNB]"If I'm sacked from some place and have the feeling the fans have for Jim, that means it is good to be in football. It's a good compensation."[LNB]Sergio added: "I don't believe it was because of the results in the beginning of this season that the board made the change. I can't believe that.[LNB]"I agree a draw at Ibrox is a good result, a draw away in the Europa League is a good result.[LNB]"It's not my responsibility to make the change. And I have all the respect for the work done by Jim."[LNB]Although Sergio has not been set specific targets, he has some idea what Romanov expects to change.[LNB]"I think he wants more agreeable football, a different kind of football," the 43-year-old said. "He wants to change the type of coaching, I think."[LNB]Romanov has had a hands-on approach to the football side of Hearts, faxing through team selection orders in the early days of his reign and just last season ordering defender Marius Zaliukas to be removed from the team to play Rangers because he had twice been sent off previously by the referee, Iain Brines.[LNB]The Lithuanian-based businessman has personally recruited numerous players, although he had appeared to allow Jefferies free rein this summer when the former Kilmarnock manager brought in SPL quartet John Sutton, Danny Grainger, Mehdi Taouil and Jamie Hamill, the latter pair from Rugby Park.[LNB]Sergio is satisfied without total control over transfers but he appeared to draw the line over interference in selection.[LNB]"Picking the team is my job," said Sergio, who was in charge of Sporting when they lost to Rangers in the Europa League last season.[LNB]"Transfers, I'm used to saying to my directors what I think and I hope they can give me what I want.[LNB]"But who is the owner of the money? It's not me who pays."[LNB]
