Who has the Heart to take over at Tynecastle?
What does a manager have to do to impress Vladimir Romanov? George Burley made the best start in the club's history but after just 12 games they parted company. Graham Rix managed to keep the momentum for a Champions League place going but was sacked in late March for speaking out against the Lithuanian's regime. And Valdas Ivankauskas came in and won the Scottish Cup and sealed second place in the SPL but following a poor start to the following season he was sent upstairs by Romanov. So who wants to work for an owner who is looking for his eighth manager in four years?
The man they wanted at Tynecastle was former Aberdeen and Celtic striker Mark McGhee, who has done a fabulous job in turning Motherwell around, but he has stated that he is more than happy at Fir Park. So who does that leave? Well here I'm going to assess the credentials of those still in the frame for the vacant post.
Craig Levein
After a torrid time down south with Leicester City Craig Levein's stock has soared after transforming the fortunes of Dundee United. The former Hearts defender, who spent most of his career at Tynecastle before spending four years in the hot-seat where he guided them to successive third place finishes in the SPL, has turned the Terrors into a formidable outfit who can give any team a game on their day. They were unfortunate not to have beaten Rangers to the League Cup in February/March? and if it wasn't for some shocking refereeing decisions against Rangers at Ibrox they could have nabbed third place away from Motherwell. Levein has battled back well from his disappointment at Leicester City but is he willing to risk all of that hard work for a second crack at Tynecastle? It doesn't look like it.
Jim Jefferies
Currently the longest serving manager in the SPL, Jefferies is another former Hearts ace. Like Levein, Jefferies spent most of his career at Tynecastle and eventually came back to the club in 1995 as manager. In 1998 Jefferies guided the Jambos to their first Scottish Cup success in 42 years by beating Rangers at Hampden. He was at the helm for five years before, like Levein, he was tempted by life down south with Bradford City, but he too found that life in England was a lot tougher than expected - resigning after just 13 months. He made a swift return to the game in Scotland with Kilmarnock and with limited resources he has been a relative success at Rugby Park, although after finishing second bottom last season he may want a change of scenery. Would he be tempted at one last crack at the big time with Hearts? At the moment his chances look quite favourable.
Billy Davies
The former Motherwell and Derby County boss has been linked with the vacant Leicester City post but speculation in the Press suggests that he wants to return to his homeland and Hearts may be right up his alley. His style of play is not everyone's cup of tea but there's no disputing that he knows how to win games. Vladimir Romanov has had his run-in with managers in the past while Davies never saw eye to eye with the board at Pride Park. With two huge characters at the helm it would surely be a turbulent relationship but it could be one that brings success back to Gorgie.
According to reports Skonto Riga boss and former Norwich City player Paul Ashworth is interested in the position and there is speculation that another Lithuanian may be put in the Hearts hot-seat. However, I'm sure that most Hearts fans don't care who there new manager is as long as he is given the chance to manage without any interference from above.
But, Hearts fans, who would you like to see as your new manager? I'd love to hear from you.
