Hearts' new first-team coach Graham Rix admits he was stunned by the chance to resurrect his career at Tynecastle.
The former Portsmouth and Oxford boss was a surprise and somewhat controversial choice by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov to replace George
Burley, who left the Edinburgh club just over two weeks ago.
Rix agreed to take over at Tynecastle under a director of football, yet to be appointed, last Thursday but did not sign his seven-month contract until Monday.
However, the former Arsenal and England player was unconcerned about the possibility of a life-changing deal falling through.
He said: "When I knew last week that I had the job I was rather numb for a few days and I couldn't tell anybody.
"I met Mr Romanov last Thursday and I knew walking out of the meeting that I had got the job.
"I was impressed by what I heard from Mr Romanov and impressed with his son Roman who is an intelligent guy. Sometimes you need to trust people."
The 48-year-old intends to extend his stay in Edinburgh beyond the end of the season.
He said: "It's a short-term deal but I'm confident in what I can do. My target is to keep the team playing as well as they have been doing.
"And if we perform as well as I think we are going to do, then I'm sure I'll get another contract next year."
Rix emerged as a shock appointment after more illustrious names such as Bobby Robson, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Claudio Ranieri had also been linked with the Tynecastle vacancy.
But Jambos chairman and acting chief executive Roman Romanov said: "Big names don't necessarily get great results and neither do big players.
"Jose Mourinho got great results with Porto and he wasn't as well known as he is now."
