Paulo Sergio unhappy at silence over Hearts contract

Scottish Cup-winning Hearts manager Paulo Sergio admitted to being frustrated at the lack of clarity over his contractual situation.

The Portuguese boss, who led Hearts to a 5-1 triumph over Hibernian on Saturday, is now out of contract and is planning to return home to await news.

"I'm not happy with this situation. I'm happy with our supporters, our players, with all we did together," he said.

"But I think in a moment like this that things should be more clear."

And as the trophy was paraded around Edinburgh and brought back to Tynecastle, he added: "I don't know if I'm going to be here or not.

"Everybody knows I would like to stay but I don't have anything."

Sergio succeeded Jim Jefferies as manager last August and took Hearts to a fifth-place finish in the Scottish Premier League against an uncertain financial backdrop.

With the Hampden win, Hearts will compete in the final qualifying round in next season's Europa League, but Sergio is unable to arrange pre-season training or friendlies.

As the club tries to cut costs, he does not know if forwards Craig Beattie, Suso Santana and Stephen Elliott will be offered new contracts.

Sergio plans to return to Portugal and hopes to hear from Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov,

"In this situation what I have to do is to book a flight and return home and see my daughters," he said.

"That's what I'm going to do. I'm here, people are here, but nobody has said anything until this moment, so it's not to me that you have to put the question.

"They are managing the club, they do what they want, what they think is normal to do. For me, we are losing too much time.

"Of course, normally I would have everything done in this moment.

"I have nothing done in this moment for next season."

Arriving back at his team's home ground on Saturday evening, Sergio told BBC Scotland of his joy at the cup success.

"What makes me happy is to see the happiness of the other people," he said.

"It's a great moment for me because I can feel the pride of my parents, my wife and my kids. That's what matters for me.

"It's not money, it's not being in the spotlight, it's the feelings of the other ones.

"I want to make my family proud because I am so proud of them.

"It was very important for me to have my family at Hampden to see us lift the cup."

Striker Beattie, who signed a short-term deal after being released by Swansea earlier in the season, is unsure where his future lies.

"I'm certainly open to staying if it's a viable option," he said. "We'll sit down with my advisors and the club and see what we're going to do."