ROBERT PAGE and Gary Rowett are shock contenders for the vacancy at Hearts.
Former Wales coach Page is interested while Rowett, who has worked widely in England, could be tempted north of the border.
The Edinburgh club are about to bring in Brighton owner Tony Bloom as an investor.
Page, 50, has been out of work since being sacked by Wales back in June.
He had been in the job for three-and-a-half years, having led Wales to Qatar 2022, their first World Cup in 64 years.
Subsequent failure to qualify for Euro 2024 put Page under pressure, however.
And he was axed following a June international break that saw Wales draw 0-0 with Gibraltar and lose 4-0 to Slovakia.
Prior to managing his country, Page took charge of Port Vale and Northampton in the English lower leagues.
Rowett, meanwhile, last managed Birmingham City.
The 50-year-old came in as interim boss for the final eight games of last season after Tony Mowbray stepped aside due to health reasons.
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Rowett won three of his eight games at the helm, but this proved not to be enough to save Blues from relegation to League One.
Prior to his return to Birmingham, Rowett had spent four years in charge of Millwall.
He left The Den in October last year, being replaced by Joe Edwards.
Hearts sacked Steven Naismith last month following a dismal start to the season.
Naismith, who had been in charge at Tynecastle for 17 months, oversaw a shocking run of eight consecutive defeats following a Premiership opening day stalemate with Rangers.
