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Foulkes slams "dictator" Romanov

01/11/2005

George Foulkes, the former chairman of Hearts, has slammed the club's majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov for acting like a "dictator" and for directly forcing himself, chief executive Phil Anderton and manager George Burley out of Tynecastle.

Lord Foulkes, who brought Romanov to the Scottish club, carried out his threat to resign yesterday after demanding Anderton keep his job, an ultimatum that fell on deaf ears.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Lord Foulkes insists that the majority shareholder has acted improperly.

"Romanov is behaving like a dictator," Lord Foulkes said.

"If he continues there will be a revolution against him. I brought him in and very much regret that now.

"Now he is the majority shareholder he seems to be acting like a megalomaniac and I really do find it astonishing."

Vladimir Romanov has appointed his son Roman as the club's new chairman and chief executive. He is expected to respond to Lord Foulkes' comments later today.

Lord Foulkes added that the front-runner for the vacant manager's job, Sir Bobby Robson, should be now reconsidering his application.

"I would have difficulty advising him. On the one hand, I want the best for Hearts and someone like Sir Bobby Robson would be extremely good," he added.

"But, on the other hand, it would not be very easy for anyone working with Vladimir Romanov."

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