Ivanauskas not sure if he will return to Hearts

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS today admitted he is totally in the dark about his future with Hearts and has no idea if he will ever return as head coach.

His compatriot Eugenijus Riabovas will assume head coaching duties at Tynecastle from Monday, a situation which casts yet further doubt over Ivanauskas' position at the club as he remains in Lithuania on indefinite sick leave.

The 40-year-old was due to attend his latest medical examination in Kaunas this afternoon having been signed off from Hearts with a stress-related illness on October 23.

His initial deputy, Eduard Malofeev, will head to the continent after this Sunday's match with Rangers in an attempt to attain his UEFA Pro coaching licence, hence the arrival of Riabovas in Edinburgh to take over the reins as of next week.

With supporters questioning the constant managerial upheaval and the heavy influence enjoyed by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, Ivanauskas admits the situation is out of his control for as long as his health remains in question.

He said: "I feel okay at this moment. My health is better but it's not good enough. Not yet. I can understand the supporters but the situation is I have no choice. Maybe things can change. I know Riabovas is there right now. It's not fair for me to speak now because Malofeev is the coach and time has moved on."

Ivanauskas is under weekly observation by a medical team in Kaunas but says he has been given no indication about the extent of Romanov's plans for his job.

"This is a question that only Mr Romanov can answer," he continued. "I don't know. I'm still here in Lithuania and I need time. I don't know how much. The doc says I'm looking okay, some days better but not ready to come back.

"I go to see the doctors every week for discussions about my health. The next appointment is today."

On Monday, Riabovas will become the seventh coach to take charge at Hearts since Romanov gained a controlling interest in the club just 19 months ago.

John Robertson, George Burley, John McGlynn, Graham Rix, Ivanauskas and Malofeev have all had spells in the dugout since February 2005.

Taken from the Scotsman