Source: Team_Talk
Sergio proud to take Hearts job
ew Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has paid tribute to his predecessor Jim Jefferies and revealed his pride that he had been asked to replace him.[LNB] Sergio becomes Hearts' 11th manager in Romanov's near seven-year tenure at Tynecastle and immediately focused his attention on Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round second leg with Hungary's Paks in Edinburgh.[LNB]Sergio, who is set to be unveiled at Wednesday's pre-match media conference, told Hearts TV: "I'm very much excited and proud to be at Hearts.[LNB]"I respect a lot the work of Jim, his past, but now the directors have invited me to work at the club.[LNB]"It's an honour for me and I'm going to do all my best to be successful at Tynecastle.[LNB]"I had an ambition to come and work in British football. I'm happy.[LNB]"I don't think that I know everything. I am a humble guy and I sure am going to learn too.[LNB]"I hope to get good results and good football for Hearts."[LNB]Jefferies, his assistant Billy Brown, who is yet to agree full terms of his departure, and Gary Locke, who for now remains as first-team coach, guided Hearts to third place in the SPL last season and a place in Europe.[LNB]Hearts started the new campaign with a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox in the SPL and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Paks in Hungary.[LNB]Sunday's loss to Dundee United - a game watched by Romanov - extended Hearts' winless run to 11 games, since the March 19 defeat of St Mirren, and the poor form is understood to be the reason for Jefferies' departure.[LNB]The United loss was Jefferies' last match in his second spell in charge, with the players reportedly told at a meeting yesterday that a manager "with European experience" was needed at the club.[LNB]Sergio, whose six-month spell at Sporting included being knocked out of the Europa League in the last 32 by Rangers in February, took charge of training on Tuesday morning, under the watchful eye of Lithuanian businessman Romanov.[LNB]Sergio then watched a behind-closed-doors game between Hearts and Dunfermline, which was an opportunity for Rudi Skacel and Andrew Driver to gain match fitness.[LNB]Sergio is focused on the task of guiding Hearts through this week's Europa League clash and will make only subtle changes to Jefferies' tactics.[LNB]The 43-year-old added: "I really liked the first contact with the group, with the players, with all the people here working for Hearts.[LNB]"We're not going to change a lot of things the team has been doing (on Thursday).[LNB]"We started working this morning and we're going to try to begin to pass our ideas to the players from the first moment.[LNB]"We know it's an important game for us and we're just thinking about winning the game."
