Hearts legend Gary Mackay has backed Tommy Wright to take over and lead the Tynecastle club out of the Championship.
Barring any last-minute reconstruction plan the Jambos will spend next season in the second division after the Premiership was declared over.
There is a release clause in manager Daniel Stendel 's contract allowing him to leave, so the German is not expected to lead the comeback.
And Mackay thinks the ideal candidate for the job is right under the Tynecastle hierarchy's noses after leaving St Johnstone.
He told the BBC Scotland's Scottish foootball podcast : "I want Tommy Wright.
"When Craig Levein was removed from office at Hearts, Tommy's team were also struggling. Now they are in the top six once again.
"I cannot believe that no clubs, Hearts included, have looked at what Tommy did at St Johnstone over the last six-seven years.
"He would be, for me, the man who would hopefully guide Hearts out of the Championship and into the kind of position they should be in the Premiership."
Hearts are desperately trying to avoid demotion, as chairman Ann Budge looks to push through reconstruction plans.
And while Mackay can see the rationale he insists the saga is making Hearts look ridiculous.
He explained: "Ann is trying to salvage whatever she can.
"She has put so much into the club, I can understand why she is trying to look at everything possible.
"You can only go on what happens on the playing field and ultimately Hearts have shown they aren't good enough.
"The thing that muddies it is there has now been a decision made on the Premiership and then in the Hearts statement, there could still be reconstruction.
"Hearts have to accept the decision that's been made with more class than they have up to now. But to continue on the back of this, and to say there's maybe another opportunity to survive, it's beginning to get a bit wearing."
"There are so many things going on in the world just now and we are becoming a laughing stock.
"Somewhere along the line, do we need to bite the bullet and and say we will be in a far stronger position in 12 months' time, or however long it takes, when we get back to the Premiership?"
