Davie Hay led Livingston to victory in the CIS Cup final

Hay cleared his desk at the end of his contract on Tuesday, as the consortium hoping to buy Livingston wants coach Allan Preston to take charge.

"I think, for anyone who is not employed, Dunfermline is a job most people would consider," said Hay.

"I would rather stay at home for family reasons, but I would consider any offer, as far afield as the Far East."

Hay hinted that he might not actually apply for the Dunfermline job in the belief that his reputation would lead to an approach.

"I've learned that you don't over-push yourself for jobs," he said.

We haven't spoken to him Lionheart consortium spokesman

"People know my situation now and they know my credentials."

The former Celtic, Lillestrom, Motherwell and St Mirren boss worked as assistant at Livingston under Jim Leishman, who moved to Dunfermline last year as general manager.

Hay was overlooked as Leishman's replacement, taking a general manager's role until the sacking of the Brazilian, Marcio Maximo.

He stepped into the breach and led Livingston to victory in the CIS Cup final to lift their first-ever major trophy.

But he was allowed to leave Livingston without ceremony, with a spokesman for administrators Kroll refusing to comment on "a decision that may or may not be made by the potential new owners".

A spokesman for the Lionheart consortium, which is fronted by Irish tycoon Pearse Flynn, said: "I wouldn't be surprised if he had gone.

"Technically, he is still employed by the administrator rather than anyone else.

"There is no reason why we would have contact directly with him about that. We haven't spoken to him."

Hay could return if Lionheart's bid fails, but Flynn hopes to have control of the Scottish Premier League club well before the start of the new season after avoiding the 10-point penalty for clubs in administration.

The Kroll spokesman said: "Because the club is not in pre-season training, it's not as if Davie Hay's presence on a day-to-day basis is required."

Meanwhile, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston said there was no rush to make an appointment at East End Park, the Fife club having already received "about two dozen applications, some from as far afield as Italy and the United States".

"We would like to get someone in at least a week before pre-season starts, so that gives us approximately four weeks to work something out," stressed Yorkston, who will consider Pars coach and former Hearts and St Johnstone boss Sandy Clark.

"Mind you, if we think we have the right man, we will make our move before then."