Ann Budge has admitted to regrets about Craig Levein 's appointment as manager, as she gave an update on the search for his successor.
The former Scotland manager was director of football at Tynecastle, but stepped back into the dugout when Ian Cathro was sacked at the beginning of the 2017-18 season.
Last week though he was removed from both roles, and will leave the board at the end of the season.
Today owner Ann Budge faced the media, and she was asked if she regretted Levein taking over as manager.
She replied: "Possibly yes.
"Clearly it didn't work so there must be a tinge of regret.
"I was hopeful we would be able to get through this period. It's not nice to relieve someone of their duties.
"That said, Craig was totally professional, mature. He would have liked longer to achieve what he wanted but he's been in football long enough to know action was needed.
"I wanted to give him a fair crack of the whip. The injuries didn't help but you can't keep talking about injuries. We had the size of squad to compete. Having completed a round of fixtures I had to make the decision I did."
With Levein still on the board until the end of the season, many Hearts fans have been concerned that he'll have a role in picking his successor.
"We discussed bringing in a consultant to find the new manager and we will be taking advice from a football expert. Craig Levein is not part of that process.
"I would like to appoint the sporting director soon, hopefully before the new manager.
"We have to compete with the top clubs in Scotland and to do that we want a very experienced and high profile manager.
"Finances (to pay compensation) are not a problem."
