Marti Cifuentes has reportedly been in conflict with his players after an indifferent Allsvenskan season so far, amid Hearts manager talks.
Record Sport exclusively revealed that the Spaniard held talks with Tynecastle powerbrokers this week over becoming the Jambos’ new permanent boss. Interim gaffer Steven Naismith remains the favourite, but Cifuentes is understood to have impressed chief executive Andrew McKinlay and chair Ann Budge with his pitch to become Robbie Neilson’s successor in Gorgie.
But things seem to be turning sour for him at Hammarby, with Aftonbladet reporting that their players had it out with the coach at training as they struggle to find form and repeat their success of last season. Cifuentes guided Bajen to third in the league table and reached the Swedish Cup Final, which they lost to Malmo on penalties. This term however, they sit 11th after 11 matches and are winless in their last three games.
Cifuentes is claimed to have gathered his senior players for clear the air talks. Director of football Jesper Jansson didn’t deny an incident on the training pitch, in which at least one player is said to have confronted Fuentes. But he insists the matter is now resolved and that the club aren’t looking to change coach as a result.
He said: “There may have been an incident in training, but I don’t know of an open fight. It is acted out and loose. I see no reason (to change coaches). We are moving on, not on the beaten track because we hope to turn this around. But we keep going. There are small margins and a lot about self-confidence. Most recently it was a bad performance, but both against IFK Gothenburg (1-1) and Degerfors (2-2) quite a lot went against us. Then I think that the squad and everyone has stood up in a damn good way.”
In response to speculation that a board meeting had taken place to discuss Cifuentes’ future, Jansson said: “It’s not something I have information on, so I don’t think that’s right. I haven’t heard anything about it.”
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