Post by Taxigirl on Nov 1, 2005 9:49:15 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/4393614.stm
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has dismissed speculation linking head coach John Carver with Hearts.
Sir Bobby Robson is favourite for the vacant Hearts job and Carver is also in line to join the management team.
But Blackwell said: "There has been no approach whatsoever from anyone at Hearts and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing to talk about.
"It's all speculation because of the Bobby Robson link - but Sir Bobby has not been appointed yet."
The Scottish Premier League club have been searching for a new boss since George Burley left last week.
Former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri was also in the frame for the post but has since confirmed reports that he is out of the running.
Ranieri flew to Edinburgh for talks with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov at the end of last week.
But it was reported on Saturday the Italian's salary demands were too high and he told the Daily Record: "I want to thank the club but Hearts isn't the right job for me at the moment."
Should Robson be lured by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, the 72-year-old is expected to ask Carver to join him - having enjoyed a close working relationship during a five-year spell at Newcastle.
Blackwell conceded he and Carver had discussed the possibility of an approach from Hearts, but the Leeds boss insisted all the talk so far was unfounded.
"At the moment there's nothing else to say. John is already at a massive club at Leeds United.
"Myself and John have had a chat about it, but at this moment there is nothing to say. There's been no contact from Hearts."
Blackwell made Carver his head coach at Elland Road in July following a long search for Adrian Boothroyd's replacement.
Although Robson is now considered to be the front runner for the post, fellow former England and Newcastle coach Kevin Keegan has also been approached by Hearts, BBC Sport understands.
It is believed that Keegan was on Hearts' shortlist in the summer before the appointment of Burley.
The Edinburgh club now want to talk again to the former Manchester City and Newcastle United boss.
Despite newspaper speculation linking Ottmar Hitzfeld with the job, it is believed that the former Borussia Dortmund coach is not interested, while former Parma boss Nevio Scala has not been approached.
Hearts' unbeaten league run was ended by Hibernian in John McGlynn's third game as caretaker boss on Saturday.
But chief executive Phil Anderton told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are going to take the appropriate time to reach our long-term aspirations."
Keegan resigned from Manchester City in March and it was thought at the time that it would be his last managerial appointment.
Robson turned down the Hearts job in the summer for personal reasons but has held new talks.
"It would fantastic if someone like Sir Bobby could come and join us at this club," said Anderton.
"Sir Bobby Robson is a quality manager with a superb track record and we are very impressed with his abilities."
Burley parted company with the SPL leaders after being reportedly concerned at Romanov's interference with team affairs.
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has dismissed speculation linking head coach John Carver with Hearts.
Sir Bobby Robson is favourite for the vacant Hearts job and Carver is also in line to join the management team.
But Blackwell said: "There has been no approach whatsoever from anyone at Hearts and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing to talk about.
"It's all speculation because of the Bobby Robson link - but Sir Bobby has not been appointed yet."
The Scottish Premier League club have been searching for a new boss since George Burley left last week.
Former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri was also in the frame for the post but has since confirmed reports that he is out of the running.
Ranieri flew to Edinburgh for talks with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov at the end of last week.
But it was reported on Saturday the Italian's salary demands were too high and he told the Daily Record: "I want to thank the club but Hearts isn't the right job for me at the moment."
Should Robson be lured by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, the 72-year-old is expected to ask Carver to join him - having enjoyed a close working relationship during a five-year spell at Newcastle.
Blackwell conceded he and Carver had discussed the possibility of an approach from Hearts, but the Leeds boss insisted all the talk so far was unfounded.
"At the moment there's nothing else to say. John is already at a massive club at Leeds United.
"Myself and John have had a chat about it, but at this moment there is nothing to say. There's been no contact from Hearts."
Blackwell made Carver his head coach at Elland Road in July following a long search for Adrian Boothroyd's replacement.
Although Robson is now considered to be the front runner for the post, fellow former England and Newcastle coach Kevin Keegan has also been approached by Hearts, BBC Sport understands.
It is believed that Keegan was on Hearts' shortlist in the summer before the appointment of Burley.
The Edinburgh club now want to talk again to the former Manchester City and Newcastle United boss.
Despite newspaper speculation linking Ottmar Hitzfeld with the job, it is believed that the former Borussia Dortmund coach is not interested, while former Parma boss Nevio Scala has not been approached.
Hearts' unbeaten league run was ended by Hibernian in John McGlynn's third game as caretaker boss on Saturday.
But chief executive Phil Anderton told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are going to take the appropriate time to reach our long-term aspirations."
Keegan resigned from Manchester City in March and it was thought at the time that it would be his last managerial appointment.
Robson turned down the Hearts job in the summer for personal reasons but has held new talks.
"It would fantastic if someone like Sir Bobby could come and join us at this club," said Anderton.
"Sir Bobby Robson is a quality manager with a superb track record and we are very impressed with his abilities."
Burley parted company with the SPL leaders after being reportedly concerned at Romanov's interference with team affairs.