By John Sinnott

Rix is removed as Oxford manager

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has turned to Rix, 48, after approaching Sir Bobby Robson and Claudio Ranieri.

Previously coach at Chelsea and manager of Portsmouth, Rix's last job in football was at Oxford, a post he left in March 2005.

Rix watched Hearts beat Dundee United on Saturday to go top of the SPL table.

However, a Hearts spokesperson said: "The club has no comment to make regarding the managerial position at this time."

The former Arsenal star, who was capped for England 17 times, has some experience of Scottish football, having played for Dundee in the early 1990s.

Rix also helped out briefly at Dens Park last year as he completed his FA coaching certificates.

Mr Romanov knows the terms under which I would become manager Sir Bobby Robson

Former England, Newcastle, Porto and Barcelona manager Robson remains interested in taking over at Tynecastle.

And the 72-year-old told the Sunday Times: ""I was hoping to have been the new manager by now.

"Negotiations were progressing splendidly with chief executive Phil Anderton and chairman George Foulkes until both men left.

"I'm in limbo now, with the ball very much in the court of Vladimir Romanov and his son, Roman.

"Mr Romanov knows the terms under which I would become manager, both financial and the way I would run the first team.

"But, of course he may prefer a less experienced manager who would work with the players hand-picked by the owner."

Following the surprise departure of George Burley on 22 October, Anderton spoke of finding a new man with "top class European pedigree".

Rix, who was overlooked for the manager's position at Partick Thistle in 2003, does not exactly fit that bill.

Graham (Rix) has gained fantastic experience throughout his career Jim Duffy former Dundee manager

His reputation as one of the brightest coaches in the game was left in tatters following a 12-month jail sentence in 1999 for having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl.

And his spell in charge at Portsmouth lasted just over a year, with the club struggling to make an impact in the old First Division.

But former Dundee manager Jim Duffy, who worked under Rix at Chelsea and Portsmouth told BBC Radio Scotland: "Graham was - and is - the most successful English coach at Chelsea.

"He won FA Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup, a Charity Shield and the League Cup while he was first-team coach at Stamford Bridge."

"Graham has gained fantastic experience throughout his career. He's worked with Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea."

Burley, 49, arrived at Tynecastle in the summer and left after "irreconcilable differences" with the board, with Hearts unbeaten in the SPL.

Last Monday Foulkes and Anderton both dramatically left the club.

Foulkes resigned in direct protest at the Tynecastle club's decision to sack Anderton.

Romanov is close to taking full control of Hearts after Leslie Deans and Robert McGrail agreed to sell him their 18% shareholding.

Romanov will up his stake to 55.5% next week when he takes control of Scottish Media Group and HBOS shares.

Deans and McGrail's shares will take Romanov to within a whisker of the 75% he needs to de-list the club from the Stock Exchange.