Romanov left with no choice but to bow to pressure

But there are, nonetheless, elements of the situation, and aspects of the statement issued by the club, which suggest that this is indeed a change of heart by Vladimir Romanov.

The club's majority shareholder has taken an active interest in team selection and in related matters such as substitutions, and potential candidates for the managerial post might rightly be concerned about the extent to which they will have their hands free to do the job. But yesterday's announcement by the club, and the subsequent statement of intent by Frail on the Hearts website, both suggest that Romanov will, no matter how reluctantly, take a back seat.

Previously, both Romanov and his son Roman, the Hearts chairman, had explicitly stated that they would never allow a manager free rein. For example, speaking at the annual general meeting last February, when Hearts were also searching for a new manager, Roman answered firmly in the negative when asked if the new man would be left to get on with team selection.

"One hundred per cent definitely not," he said. "Maybe 50 per cent, maybe 60, because there are different reasons for choosing the team.

"Preparing the team is the coach's job. Politics and who to pick is a different job."

Yesterday's statement explicitly contradicts that view, and spells out that both Frail and a full-time appointee "will have full responsibility for team selection". The words are there in black and white, with no room for ambiguity.

Another alteration in approach comes with the recognition that experience of British football management is required. Previously, the Romanovs, who are ethnically Russian and based in Lithuania, have placed greater faith in coaches from eastern Europe.

Only a few months ago, Angel Cervenkov, a Bulgarian, was drafted in to form part of a coaching triumvirate with Frail and the sport director, Anatoly Korobochka. Yesterday he was out – retained as an advisor by the Romanov group of companies, but no longer part of the set-up at Hearts.

Korobochka remains in place, but in a less hands-on capacity. Frail is now firmly in charge.

The three-man set-up was always unwieldy, and in recent weeks has simply ceased to function properly. With Hearts having lost five matches in a row and fallen to tenth place in the SPL, yesterday's announcement is a belated recognition by Romanov of that fact.

He may frequently act in a dictatorial manner, but in the end he also acts in his own best interests. And it was becoming clear at Tynecastle that if the team's form continued to suffer, the owner's grandiose plans for a new ground with a far bigger capacity could become irrelevant. If Hearts were bobbing along towards the bottom of the SPL, playing demoralised football, they could not possibly hope to attract 10,000 additional spectators to every game.

Eventually, Romanov accepted that everyone who talked to him about the matter, or whose views he learned indirectly, was telling him the same thing. The football side of the club and the commercial wing, the coaches and officials and supporters, all said he had to change.

So he has changed. Perhaps not irreversibly, but for the moment at least there is a chance of sustained improvement.

It might be thought there is more pressure on Frail now he is on his own, but the reverse is surely the case. He at least has that "full responsibility" for the team instead of only having a share of power yet being required, as the public face of the club, to take the rap.

What is more, Hearts have said that their new manager will be assisted by Frail. In other words, Frail is not being set up as a potential scapegoat. The club have made it clear they want someone with more experience for the top spot, but that they value Frail enough to insist on him sticking around for the longer term.

Given the loyalty and tenacity Frail has shown in such a tough situation, such a vote of confidence seems only just. Yet it could have one negative consequence as Hearts seek a quality long-term candidate, as most managers bring their own back-room staff with them.

Will the budget be big enough for a new manager and his support team of two or three and Frail and Korobochka? And even if it is, would Romanov accept such an expanded management team?

Hearts are in no rush to make an appointment, and it looks certain that their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian will fill their vacancy first. The task of drawing up a shortlist will fall to Campbell Ogilvie, the club's operations director, and Pedro Lopez, the deputy chief executive. They will then advise Romanov of their preference.

Q & A: HEARTS HIERARCHY

Who has been in charge of Hearts this season?

Three men – sport director Anatoly Korobochka, assistant head coach Stephen Frail and assistant coach Angel Cervenkov – have shared responsibility. In addition, majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has continued to have an input into team selection.

Who is now in charge?
Stephen Frail, who was told on Hogmanay that he was being appointed caretaker manager.

What has happened to the other two?
Korobochka has resumed his former back-seat role. Cervenkov has left the club but has been retained as an advisor by Romanov, who has an interest in two other teams, FBK Kaunas in Lithuania and MTZ–RIPO of Minsk, Belarus.

What responsibilities will Frail have?
He has full responsibility for team selection and for coaching the squad.

What is the longer-term plan?
Hearts aim to appoint an experienced permanent manager who has worked in British football before.

Why was the change made?
Because the previous three-man set-up was not working. Hearts are currently tenth in the league, having lost their last five games – their worst run of results in nine years.

When did Hearts last have a permanent manager?
In 2005, when George Burley took the club to the top of the SPL. He left after four months. Since then the men in charge of running the first team have been called caretaker managers, head coaches, or assistant coaches.

HEARTS STATEMENT IN FULL

"The manager, who will have full responsibility for team selection, will be an experienced football manager and will preferably have experience of management in British football. The new manager will work with Sport Director Anatoly Korobochka and Assistant Head Coach Stephen Frail.

"In the interim Stephen Frail will assume the 'caretaker manager' role at Hearts with full responsibility for team selection and coaching of the first team squad. The Board of Directors of Hearts acknowledges it is not acceptable for Hearts to be in its current position in the league.

"The new manager's task will be to drive the club forward on the playing side to fulfill the club's ambitions.

"The move by the Board of Directors has the full backing of Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov."

Taken from the Scotsman