Romanov: Czar of Hearts

In a must-listen interview, the Czar of Hearts, Vladimir Romanov himself chats to Martin Geissler about his time in charge of Hearts and what has happened since he left Edinburgh. Why did you buy Hearts? Why did you sack George Burley? And do you live in a submarine? Martin asks the questions that fans have wanted answers to for over 10 years.

CREDITS Presented by Martin Geissler The voice of Vladimir Romanov in Episode 10 was performed by Grant O’Rourke The entire series – all 10 episodes – was produced by James Christie The series producer was Stephen Hollywood Graham Russell was our story consultant and script editor Research by Jack Herrall with help from Brian McLaughlin Our excellent music was composed by Joel Cox who also looked after the sound design. Initial development was done by Jack Kibble-White and Martin Conaghan Our production management team was – Mhairi Anderson, Elise Mulford and Danielle McLaughlin And the commissioning editors for BBC Sounds and BBC Scotland were Gareth Hydes and Heather Kane-Darling

Hearts are in administration and for the second time in less than 10years they are in desperate need for a saviour. At the same time Vladimir Romanov is facing his own problems as the Lithuanian authorities close in on him and his financial irregularities. Can the club be saved and what does the future hold for The Czar of Hearts?

Contains Mild Strong Language

As Romanov shifts his focus to exciting opportunities back in Lithuania, what does this mean for the future of Hearts? With mounting debt and the club on the brink of its biggest game in its history, his increasingly hands-off approach raises serious questions. Will his absence lead to disaster, or can Hearts still defy the odds and thrive?

“There is significant unrest in the dressing room.”

When Steven Pressley, Craig Gordon, and Paul Hartley, three of the most respected players in the dressing room, took a stand against the Czar’s chaotic rule. They knew there would be consequences. What they didn’t know was just how far he would go to crush their rebellion.

Vladimir Romanov rewards his cup winning team with a preseason to remember. Joining them are two new coaches who arrive from eastern Europe plus his interference spreads beyond the pitch and into the medical department. All of which leads to the one of the most unbelievable press conferences football has witnessed.

Vlad has now sacked both George Burley and Graham Rix in the same season despite challenging for the league title and reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final. The countdown to the end of the season is now on and despite Romanov’s changes in the dugout and constant tinkering with team selection they are still in with a chance of a historic second place in the league and the Scottish Cup Final.

If sacking an unbeaten manager was shocking, Vladimir Romanov's next move went even further, rocking Scottish football to its core and leaving fans with a question that lingers nearly 20 years later: why did he hire a man who had spent time behind bars just years before?

Unbeaten in 10 games and sitting top of the league, it was almost too good to be true for Vlad’s new man in the dugout. But as Hearts fans dared to dream of glory the Czar was about to send shockwaves through Scottish football, proving that no one—on or off the pitch—was safe if they stand in the way of his grand plans.

Before his feet are even under the table Vladimir Romanov wastes no time in getting his men through the door. An unknown Russian has appeared in the corridors of Tynecastle and a busload of Lithuanian footballers have arrived at the training ground but does he have the right man in the dugout to fulfil his ambitions?

It’s 2004, Heart of Midlothian are £20m in debt, and selling their ground of over 100 years seems the only way out. The situation is growing increasingly bleak, with fans fearing this move could push the club to the brink of extinction. Then, a mystery ex-submariner steps from the shadows, could he be the saviour they’ve been desperately seeking?