Whose face fits Vlad's profile?

That much can be derived from his recent negotiations with Sergei Baltacha and previous talks with Alexei Mikhailichenko, the Ukrainians who featured prominently in the Scottish Premier League during the 1990s.

Hearts' majority shareholder celebrates his 60th birthday tomorrow but, despite reaching an age when most would be contemplating slippers and Hob-Nobs, is in the midst of possibly his toughest assignment. Identifying a suitable individual to take his biggest football club forward is an arduous and thankless task.

Romanov's Lithuanian headquarters have been inundated since Valdas Ivanauskas' Hearts tenure ended in March, as agents queue up offering the services of high-profile managers. Calls have been incoming from all over the globe, but the Russian banker will blow out the birthday candles far away from the most famous fax machine in football this weekend.

As he celebrates his latest milestone on foreign shores with wife Svetlana, a moment or two will doubtless be spent contemplating the identity of his new employee. The successful candidate must slip comfortably into Romanov's continental coaching structure, working under his consultant Ivanauskas and sporting director Anatoli Korobochka but above coaches Stephen Frail and Jim Stewart.

He must also be willing to tolerate influence from above on team selection. Above all, he must meet expectations.

"I've been asked to put almost 20 names forward since Valdas left, all names you would know," says Charlie Mann, Romanov's Scottish spokesman. "There have been guys with experience in the English Premiership putting their names forward. In total, three World Cup winners have applied - two being Lothar Matthaus and Berti Vogts - since I became involved with Vladimir. There have been guys who have managed in France at high levels. That's just those who have come through me.

"That's a testament to the stature of Hearts. People who would probably never have thought of Hearts in the past are seeing the potential there and realising the club has the financial backing to become successful.

"The new head coach would hopefully understand British-type values whilst having a continental outlook. He will have a desire to succeed, a desire to put Hearts at the top of the table and to build every element of the club. That involves improving guys who play in the first team down to the youth development programme and the facilities at Riccarton, and in other areas like diet and physio.

"The biggest quality will be the desire to get Hearts up amongst the biggest clubs in Scotland and challenge the Old Firm.

"The process is that people will ask me to put their name in front of Vladimir. That's what I do and then I butt out because it's not really my place. He's the man who will take the decision."

The three World Cup winners - the other being Ossie Ardiles - could at least offer sound appreciation of the continental mentality, with the CVs of Vogts and Ardiles also detailing British experience. Outside the UK, and particularly within Romanov's circle, owners and presidents are widely regarded as most important in football after players. But in Scotland and England the traditional manager prefers to keep his chairman at arm's length.

These British values are strongly supported by people like Neil Warnock, the former Sheffield United manager who applied to manage Hearts last month, and Jim Jefferies, who has also declared an interest in returning during private discussions.

"Romanov's methods are similar to the way clubs like Real Madrid operate, so it's not like it's just an eastern European approach," continues Mann. "It's different to the way we've been brought up in UK football but it's commonplace on the continent.

"Both Baltacha and Mikhailichenko have good experience in the UK, they talk the same language as Vladimir and communication is a very important aspect for him. Because of his interest in being involved in all areas of the process then communication is vital.

"Under George Burley and Graham Rix, a lot of the discussions with Vladimir were done via Valdas and I think that was frustrating for them all. That's the way it was. Valdas played an important role then in easing the process, although it wasn't ideal."

Matthaus' departure from the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday prompted thoughts of whether he might re-apply to Hearts. The German's agent John Inglis stated today that his client is still interested in the position although no contact has been made. Mann says: "Nobody has mentioned his name to me this time round, but his agent did speak to me about the job before George Burley arrived."

Along with Warnock, Radomir Antic has spoken publicly of his willingness to work with Romanov. The 58-year-old Serbian played as a defender with Luton Town in the 1970s and 80s, affording him a useful appreciation of the British game.

He has managed both Real Madrid and Barcelona in his time but achieved notable success with Atletico Madrid. Winning a league and cup double in 1996 endeared Antic to Atletico's controversial president, the late Jesus Gil, a man whose dictatorial methods made Romanov look like a Care Bear by comparison.

"My concern is that lots of names are being associated with the job that may not necessarily be in front of Vladimir," says Mann. "The Hearts fans see those names but they need to be open minded until the club appoint someone. Agents will frequently use clubs to highlight their client's availability.

"I wouldn't say there's any particular rush to appoint someone. George Burley wasn't in until we were virtually getting on the plane for the pre-season trip to Dublin. That didn't hinder his start and I don't believe a similar situation would have an adverse effect this time either.

"Stevie Frail, Anatoli and Jim Stewart are in place and have almost finished planning for pre-season. That relieves the pressure a little. These guys have been involved in the player recruiting process and have put names forward to Vladimir. That will be ongoing."

So might the search for a new manager, for Romanov intends his meticulous planning to ensure his next appointment is the correct one. Whether that incumbent is steeped in the traditions of eastern or western Europe, or somewhere in between, a highly coveted window of opportunity clearly lies at Tynecastle.