Sergio insists current woes can’t be compared to chaos of Romanov era

PAULO SERGIO didn’t have to deal with a 50 per cent wage cut at Hearts.

In his case, it was a 100 per cent cut as Vladimir Romanov put the manager and his tortured Tynecastle players into a dreadful position.

Sergio admits the pay drop is going to be tough for the current employees to swallow.

But as the Portuguese began a 15-day period locked in his own house unable to go out due to coronavirus, he says there has to be an understanding that this is an extreme situation which has forced Ann Budge to act.

In 2011, it was a 100 per cent cut and in very different circumstances. Romanov was trying to get out of Hearts and as the debts built up he left the manager and staff without a bean for spells.

Sergio felt it painfully, just as Daniel Stendel and everyone at Tynecastle will be feeling it now. But he has urged them to stick together like his group did on their way to Scottish Cup glory. Sergio

BY CRAIG SWAN said: “A cut of 50 per cent is crazy. Although we didn’t have the same situation – we had 100 per cent. Zero.

“As a manager at that time I had to sit down with the players and say we were in it together as we were all getting zero. In that period of time, it was for different reasons.

“You can’t compare it with what is happening now. This situation is different.

“I must say 50 per cent will feel huge and maybe something softer could have been more acceptable because football is a short career to earn.

“But at the same time there has to be an understanding that this is a completely different situation to anything that has happened before. If I was in place at Hearts I would accept it but I’d feel it was a huge cut.”

Keeping a close eye on performances and results, he is acutely aware of the dangerous position they are in.

Hearts are currently bottom of the table and, with an option to declare the finishing positions one of those available to SPFL chiefs if the season can’t be finished, they could go down. Sergio, now manager of Portimonense back home, heard the UEFA chatter about ending the season by the close of June and admits such a scenario can’t be guaranteed. If it is not possible though he’s adamant Hearts can’t just be plunged out of the top flight. He said: “I don’t know if games can be finished in the Scottish

“I’m not sure it can happen here and I imagine it’s the same in Scotland.

“The result of the league should not be confirmed. No champion and no one going down at this stage until everything starts again.

“It would be unfair if Hearts were to be relegated with so many games to go.

“If they want to promote two from the Championship and have no relegation, that could work. Have a 14-team league for one season then have three down and one up to go back to 12.

“Maybe two automatic and one play-off to decide the third relegation. This would be fairer. If Hearts or anyone else is relegated with eight games to go, it’s not fair and it’s also not fair to deny the ones who are in good position for promotion.”