The chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust, Martin Laidlaw, insists the club's fans do not want Graham Rix as their new manager. Hearts have been linked with Sir Bobby Robson and Claudio Ranieri but look set to turn to former Chelsea coach Rix as George Burley's successor.
"The Hearts fans do not fancy him at all as we do not feel he would be the right man for the job," said Laidlaw.
"This is not the high-profile name we were promised."
Rix had unsuccessful spells in charge of Portsmouth and Oxford after leaving his role at Chelsea.
Laidlaw added: "I'd like to think the club will appoint someone in the same stature or better than George Burley.
"This is not in the short, medium or long-term interests of Hearts and it is very disappointing to read his name when you consider that people like Sir Bobby Robson, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Claudio Ranieri have all recently been linked with the post."
In addition to their reservations about Rix's managerial track record, some Hearts supporters are also concerned about the 48-year-old's conviction in 1999 for unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl and indecent assault.
"The Hearts fans are very vocal about this and it would not be an appropriate appointment on the basis of his offence," said Laidlaw.
"I appreciate Rix was once a highly-regarded first-team coach but we feel his star and credibility have diminished after what happened outside the game.
"Hearts are trying to promote decent public relations at the club and they should not put themselves in that position."
MMIX
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This is not in the short, medium or long-term interests of Hearts
