Scottish Football News

German legend, Lothar Matthaus has launched an astonishing attack on new Hearts manager, Hungarian Czaba Laszlo by claiming he isn’t up to the job.

Laszlo was Matthaus’ assistant manager for two seasons when the German was manager of the Hungarian national side, but Matthaus believes that Hearts owner, Vladimir Romanov has made an error in his appointment of Laszlo as the Edinburgh team’s new manager.

Matthaus, who threw his hat in the ring for the job after the sacking of Hearts legend, John Robertson, said:

“I can’t believe this has happened.”

“Laszlo is an assistant manager and would be good for that role but not as a manager. I don’t think he has the personality to be a No.1, but I also think he doesn’t have the experience.”

“There are many things he doesn’t have for this kind of job. Time will tell if Hearts have made the wrong choice. I am very surprised.”

Laszlo has had an inauspicious start to his managerial career, having failed to win an away match in two years as coach of the Ugandan national team, and has failed to win either of his matches played so far, with losses against Irish side Glentoran and Scottish First Division side, Dunfermline.

Not everyone is unhappy about Laszlo’s appointment, however, which has been endorsed by club skipper, Christophe Berra. The 22-year-old has been linked with moves to both Wolves and Rangers over the summer but believes that, under Laszlo, he can fulfil his potential at Tynecastle.

Berra has been impressed by the new manager’s approach, as have his team-mates. And he is just glad that club owner Vladimir Romanov’s seven-month search for a new boss has finally come to an end. He added: “Everyone has critics as has Mr Romanov and he has taken a lot of stick.

“But he is a strong man and I think he knows what is right for the club. This is the first proper manager we have had since George Burley and everyone has been impressed with him.

“I am looking forward to the new season because he is the kind of manager who is going to want to work on the training field with the players as a team and individually.

“He’s not had much time but a lot of the boys have been very impressed, he has set out his targets and wants to work on team shape and organisation, playing good football and discipline.”

Laszlo has just signed Ugandan defender David Obua on a free transfer, subject to a medical and the player securing a work permit. Obua had previously interested West Ham after leaving South African side, Kaiser Chiefs earlier in the summer. The new manager also hopes to run the role over a couple of trialists during the course of the team’s tour of Germany.

“I hope we can have some more players here for trials,” the manager said. “I hope it is possible for two or three players to arrive.

“Really I have a very clear mind but before I do anything I would like to talk to the club owner.”

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