Latest news with #Romanov:CzarofHearts
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Romanov: Czar of Hearts
We asked for your question to put to the Romanov: Czar of Hearts production team earlier in the are a few answers from the show's producer James Christie:Fraser asked: How did you actually track Vlad down? How hard was it?James answered: When we started the podcast we genuinely didn't believe it would be possible to track him was when talking to Jonas Miklovas, the basketball journalist from episode eight, we discovered he actually went to Moscow to interview him in 2018-ish, but since then his contact had year I was in a WhatsApp conversation with someone in Russia about the podcast and they casually let slip: "I wished him a happy birthday last year." He then spoke to Vladimir for me and sent me his led to a couple of months of chatting via text before we finally got him into the studio in Russia. So all in all, nowhere near as hard as we, or anyone else, probably asked: Brilliant series! Loved the testimonies from the players, staff and journalists etc of the time. As a diehard Jambo, I was surprised to learn new stuff relating to Romanov's 'shenanigans' like they got close to appointing Claudio Raineri. What other big names were Romanov's team talking to - players, managers, KGB etc?James answered: This didn't make the podcast as we couldn't properly verify it, but Vladimir did an interview with a Russian news outlet and in it he claimed Guus Hiddink had approached him to become Hearts says Hiddink wanted £500,000 but that was too much. Vlad also stated he was looking for a like-minded person and not a star. Another potential case of what could've asked: Hi guys, the show was incredible. Best podcast I've heard. How difficult was it not just getting Vlad but all your other guests, particularly those from Lithuania? I really hope you make more deep dives into other football stories like answered: I think the passage of time was one of the key reasons we were able to interview a few of the people from within Vlad's inner circle at Hearts. I'm not sure Sergejus Fedotovas would've spoken to us 10 years ago for instance.A lot of people's first response when I called them about the podcast was "This is such a good idea". The fact they were aware just how incredible a story it was helped a lot with getting people to agree to take asked: Is it true he lives/lived in a nuclear submarine in Russia?James answered: A few years ago he gave an interview to Russian TV at the submarine and this has been mistranslated in a few newspapers that he'd spent all his money on the submarine and was now living in far as I know he has never lived in it. In fact, it's actually just a small section of the K-19 submarine that Vlad managed to save before it was you look around the internet there are a few videos showing you inside it. It is very much just a hollow steel shell, I really don't believe anyone could spend a night in it let alone live in it.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I didn't sack Burley, he ran away'
Former Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov says he "didn't fire" George Burley and instead the then-manager "ran away" following a meeting at story at Hearts has been chronicled in BBC Scotland's Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast, with the final bonus episode including the first UK interview with the Lithuanian-born businessman in more than a decade. Burley's side made a storming, unbeaten start to the 2005-06 season and sat top, meaning many tipped them to win the title before his abrupt sacking by Romanov."Honestly, under my leadership, even a housewife could have achieved results because of the structure I put in place," Romanov said, dismissing the importance of Burley and his assistant Simon Hunt to that incredible start."I didn't fire him, though. It wasn't easy to come to an understanding with Burley. "I even offered him a contract, but he acted as though he was stepping out for a smoke and then disappeared altogether. "That's the story I'm sharing with you now. But let's not overanalyse or frame it in the wrong way."However, Romanov did concede that focussing on matters on the pitch should have been his priority and not focussing on "scandals".Nevertheless, the news of Burley's exit was a shock to Scottish football onlookers, let alone those in Gorgie on the Saturday morning when it happened, with a game against Dunfermline Athletic to come in a few hours' time."I didn't make a decision, he ran away," Romanov added."When he realised that I was aware of all the nuances and details, the situation became clear. Looking back, I should have focused on finishing the season instead of getting caught up in scandals."Throughout the interview with host Martin Geissler, Romanov routinely lashed out and would often go on bizarre tangents, or simply give an answer to a different question and not the one now living in Moscow and wanted by Interpol, said he uncovered a plot within the club, orchestrated, he believed, by Burley and Hunt, whom he calls added: "On top of that, I began investigating a plot and uncovered something serious. "There were two thieves within the team, and unfortunately, this isn't uncommon in football. These individuals were stealing players and working from within, ultimately destroying the team."Rights to reply were given to those named and can be found in the bonus episode on BBC Sounds
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Put your questions to Czar of Hearts production team
Over the past two months, BBC Scotland's Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast has detailed the story of Hearts, Vladimir Romanov and everything in series has taken the audience on a rollercoaster ride from Romanov saving the club to almost killing you have the chance to ask host Martin Geissler and the team any questions you have about the work on the show across all 10 tracking down Romanov to anything unexpected they may have discovered, send us your questions here and a selection will be answered on this page in the coming days.
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Romanov on 'not firing' Burley, 'psychologically weak' Gordon & appointing Rix
After a press conference from Neil Critchley, we bring you key points on this page. Today, however, there's someone else who has been speaking to BBC Scotland for you to hear Romanov sat down for an interview with the Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast, with his contribution published as a special bonus episode after the nine-part goes without saying that much of what Romanov said should be taken with a heavy pinch of are the key points from the former Hearts owner's interview:Romanov claims he "did not fire" George Burley, saying he offered him a contract before the then manager "disappeared altogether" after stepping out for a he does concede he should have "focused on finishing the season instead of getting caught up in scandals".Although, according to Vlad, Burley was not the real leader of the side, rather it was his assistant and scout Simon Hunt. Burley and Hunt, he adds, were "two thieves within the team".Despite giving Craig Gordon a supposed blank cheque to stay at the club, Romanov accuses him of having a poor mentality: "Psychologically, he was weak - if things didn't go well, he'd get physically sick, sometimes even vomit."In his first season at Hearts, Romanov "unravelled how referees were recruited" and says "every player and referee in Scottish football was recruited as a fan, either of Celtic or Rangers", leading to those sides being viewed favourably by the Gordon, Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley all wanted to leave for Celtic, as did manager Burley, according to Romanov, who says Roman Bednar and Rudi Skacel also wanted to move to Celtic Park. Vlad adds: "I was dealing with a revolution right under my nose... the club was almost left without all these key players."On appointing Graham Rix as manager, he hoped they could "stand strong and take on the mafia" and also the one to doubt his own footballing acumen, he states: "I can work with any coach, even a children's coach, and still achieve great results."On the accusation he, not Rix, picked the team, he says: "It's not Rix who's picking the players - I'm the one buying them."When asked for his initial reaction to the Riccarton Three incident, he says it was a "betrayal," adding: "And then there's the question: 'How do I go to Celtic for more money?' It was just an excuse - a cover for betrayal."You may remember Vlad's famous boxing match with Bednar, where he now claims the towering Czech forward "ran off, and that's how it all played out".For much, much more from Romanov you can listen to the bonus episode here on BBC people discussed by Romanov were given a right to reply. These can be found in the bonus episode.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hearts 'gave Gordon blank cheque to reject Celtic'
Romanov: Czar of Hearts - listen to the bonus edition, From Russia With Love Former Heart of Midlothian owner Vladimir Romanov has claimed he handed Craig Gordon a blank cheque to reject a move to Celtic before the "psychologically weak" Scotland goalkeeper's eventual record-breaking £9m transfer to Sunderland. The revelation comes in the Russian businessman's first UK interview in more than a decade as part of BBC Scotland's Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast series. In the special bonus edition, From Russia With Love, Romanov revisits his claim that he was once offered the chance to buy Liverpool, repeats his belief that all Scottish referees support either Celtic or Rangers, and says George Burley walked away from the club rather than be sacked as manager. He recalled the "revolution" inside the Hearts dressing-room in October 2006 when captain Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley and Gordon went public with the squad's unhappiness at the Lithuanian-based owner's methods. Romanov interview will make Hearts fans 'laugh & cry' Remarkable tale of Czar of Hearts Vladimir Romanov Romanov claims the trio had previously been offered deals by Celtic and wanted to move to the Glasgow club along with manager Burley and two other players - Rudi Skacel and Roman Bednar. Pressley and Hartley did eventually join Celtic, but Romanov claims he told Gordon: "Your contract is running out and I know Celtic has made you an offer, but you'll end up being their second-choice goalkeeper, not the first. "If you stay and sign with us, I promise you'll play in the English league. He laughed, not taking me seriously. So, I said, 'If you don't believe me, here's a blank contract. Write down the amount you want.' "Gordon wrote down a very large sum - something unheard of at Hearts and all of Scottish football. I looked at it, signed it, and handed it back. That's how we managed to keep him." Romanov claims he had a buyer lined up for Gordon at the end of the season with "a rough valuation" in mind for the then 24-year-old. "Gordon had incredible abilities, but he required a very careful approach," he said. "Psychologically, he was weak - if things didn't go well, he'd get physically sick, sometimes even vomit. "He needed delicate handling. Despite all that, he was an exceptionally talented player. Ultimately, I sold him for £9m - at the time, it was the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper in Britain." Hearts say Gordon, who returned to the club in 2020 after eventually joining Celtic, did not wish to comment on Romanov's claims. Burley and Hearts "mutually agreed" to part ways in October 2005 despite the side sitting unbeaten at the top of the Scottish league table, but Romanov claims that "even a housewife" could have achieved those results "under my leadership". He claimed that Burley "had a heavy drinking problem" and "ran away" when told he could stay in charge if he tackled that problem. Burley's assistant at the time, Simon Hunt, disputed Romanov's claims about the manager's drinking. Visit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app
