Hearts' search for a new manager remains ongoing amid unconfirmed reports that Stephen Frail has been placed on gardening leave.The caretaker boss was expected to take charge of the first day of pre-season training at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Instead, he was reportedly summoned to a meeting with sport director Anatoly Korobochka and told to stay away from the club for several days.

Majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov launched his search for a new manager back in January, after John Robertson, George Burley, Graham Rix and Valdas Ivanauskas had all parted company with Hearts during his rein.

Frail assumed the role of caretaker manager and was given full control of team affairs, including team selection.

A statement at the time claimed Romanov was seeking someone who preferably had experience of management in British football and confirmed that the new man would work alongside both Frail and Korobochka.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was close to holding talks with Romanov this summer but a last-minute change of heart saw him opt to remain at Fir Park instead.

Former Iceland boss Gudjon Thordarson and Artmedia Bratislava coach Vladimir Weiss have also been in contact with Hearts regarding the vacancy, although Weiss has since been linked with the Slovakia national team job.

The club declined to comment on Frail's situation but confirmed that their search for a manager "remained ongoing".

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