Hearts supremo Romanov backs ill Valdas

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov insists he still has faith in Valdas Ivanauskas - despite speculation he was about to sack his head coach.

The axe was expected to fall on Ivanauskas after the 2-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock left them trailing Celtic by eight points in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Pressure has been mounting on the Lithuanian since he failed to guide the Jambos to the Champions League group stages with the team falling at the final qualifying hurdle to AEK Athens.

But an aggregate defeat by Sparta Prague saw them crash out of the UEFA Cup last month before the group phase.

Romanov has parted company with three managers - John Robertson, George Burley and Graham Rix - since taking a controlling interest at Tynecastle and Ivanauskas was tipped to join that list.

However, after requesting talks with Romanov in Lithuania today, he was granted permission to take two weeks' leave for a 'health issue.'

Club consultant - and former Belarus boss - Eduard Malofeev assumes the role of acting head coach in the meantime.

But Romanov fully expects to see Ivanauskas back at Tynecastle to resume control of team affairs in a fortnight.

He said: 'I have full confidence in Valdas and look forward to his return.

'Valdas asked me for the meeting and I was naturally happy to see him.

'He explained to me why he required this time away and I understood what he told me.

'During his absence, the rest of the coaching staff will perform the necessary duties for our upcoming games.'

Romanov will hold talks with representatives of fans' groups this weekend and has urged Hearts supporters to throw their backing behind Malofeev until Ivanauskas returns.

He added: 'Eduard Malofeev will take the leading role and I ask all our fans and those associated with the club to give their fullest support to the team at this time.'

Ivanauskas has refused to give any details of his illness but insists his short break from football is needed.

He said: 'I want to be, and must be, at the top of my physical and mental state.

'Therefore, with Vladimir's agreement, I am taking two weeks leave which I will spend on getting my health back.

'I will return in two weeks to my position as head coach. I hope our fans will understand my need for this.'

And he claims his leave of absence is unconnected to Saturday's result.

He added: 'It was my initiative to ask Vladimir for the meeting.

'He immediately said yes to it. He listened to all I said and it was great to feel his support and understanding.

'Despite how it may seem, the meeting was not connected to the defeat on Saturday.

'I had been having some health problems earlier but now it is at the point where I cannot ignore them.'

Romanov appointed Ivanauskas on a permanent basis in June after he guided the team to the Tennent's Scottish Cup triumph over Gretna in May - the club's first trophy since 1998 - and a Champions League qualifying berth with a second-place finish in the SPL.

The former FBK Kaunas boss originally succeeded sacked Graham Rix in March.

But Hearts were knocked out of the Champions League at the final qualifying stage by AEK Athens before hopes of a spot in the UEFA Cup group phase were ended by Sparta Prague last month.