Though Bobby Robson remains the leading candidate to replace George Burley as Hearts manager, the club will go into tomorrow's Scottish Premier League match with Kilmarnock under the guidance of John McGlynn and Valdas Ivanauskas.
Hearts chairman George Foulkes confirmed Robson was back in the frame, but said no new manager would be in place for Saturday's derby with Hibernian.
Burley left Tynecastle after only 12 competitive matches following a fall-out with the club's major shareholder, Vladimir Romanov.
Romanov last night issued a statement in which he sought to reassure supporters and "categorically" ruled out Ivanauskas, the former manager of the Lithuanian side FB Kaunas, as Burley's successor.
"I have kept all my promises to Hearts fans and want them to know they and the club can look forward to further investment," he said. "However, we will not be rushed into a decision on a new manager. I have always said that we will pay for quality and professionalism, and that does not mean taking the first individual available."
Robson, who was interviewed for the job in June, is regarded as the favourite because of his willingness to admit an interest in public, his desire to return to club management, the proximity of Tynecastle to his northeast England home and continued good relations with the club's directors. He will travel to Edinburgh on Thursday morning for the funeral of Johnny Haynes, a former team-mate at Fulham.
Foulkes said: "Sir Bobby is certainly one we will be looking at, (but) there will be nobody in place before the weekend."
Hearts confirmed their chief scout, Simon Hunt, and goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster, who both arrived with Burley in July, have also left the club.
Burley admitted he faced an uncertain future. "I thought I did very well for the club," he said, "but nothing surprises you in football. Who knows what the future holds for me?
"I left the club in as good a position as it has ever been in. I have left a smashing group of players who have a fantastic spirit and there was a great camaraderie between them and myself. Hopefully, they can remain together and go from strength to strength."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have confirmed they will be appealing against the red card received by David Beckham during Sunday's Primera Liga match with Valencia.
The England captain was shown a yellow card by referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez for protesting against a foul committed by Raul with three minutes remaining in the clash at the Bernabeu stadium.
Beckham then half turned his back on Ibanez and applauded, an action which earned him the red card.
Real will lodge an appeal with the Spanish FA's disciplinary committee, who meet today.
