Csaba Laszlo's long journey to the manager's chair at Hearts

Jul 13 2008 By Iain Collin

NEW Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo aims to build a home from home in Scotland after defecting from Communist Romania to start a new life in the West aged just 20.

The 44-year-old was raised by Hungarian parents in Transylvania but bravely escaped the iron rule of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu five years before the tyrant was overthrown in 1989.

Laszlo risked everything as he fled on a tourist's visa to stay with an uncle in Germany, leaving his parents to suffer under Ceascescu's regime. And when the midfielder's chances of a playing career were ruined by a knee injury he began the long journey that has now taken him to Edinburgh.

Laszlo won plaudits as a youth coach at Borussia Monchengladbach before working as Lothar Matthaus' No.2 with Hungary.

He then enjoyed a two-year spell as manager of Hungarian side Ferencvaros with Matthaus part of his backroom staff. Yet theGerman legend last week ridiculed Jambos' appointment, claiming Laszlo is out of his depth as a boss.

With such a colourful background Laszlo, who describes himself as a disciplinarian with a smile, believes he can light up Scottish football.

He said: "I defected when I left Romania. My uncle was a German and I went there.

"I don't have any problems with the politics but left to look for luck.

It was more of an adventure for me. "Even now my father Albert, who has Hungarian nationality, stays in Romania.

"It was not difficult there but if you are a young guy you think about your life. Forme itwas a good choice.

"I had my passport and travelled like a tourist but didn't go back.

"My parents had some problems but even in communism and socialism there was the possibility to resolve everything.

"Early on learned I what it's like to work under capitalism. I have a good mixture, I know life is not only to have money and a nice car.

"If I go to Romania, Hungary, Germany and even Uganda I feel at home - and this is my intention for Scotland." Laszlo was dubbed "miracle man" by the African media after taking Uganda into the Africa Cup of Nations last year for the first time in three decades and lifting the side 76 places up the FIFA rankings to 91st.

Ferencvaros, the team he led to a UEFA Cup victory over Hearts in 2004, were so skint they couldn't afford buses for away matches and were on the verge of collapse.

But his success as head coach convinced sponsors T-Mobile to plough money in to rescue the club.

His time in Africa made the biggest impression though and Laszlo said: "Uganda was a great experience and another culture.

"Normally if you speak about Africa you think about the poverty, wars, HIV and sickness. But it has a nice face that has to be discovered even by Europeans."