Burley left the club in October

Burley, who led Hearts to the top of the Scottish Premier League, left last month after a fall out with Romanov.

But BBC Radio Five Live's Roddy Forsyth says Burley was asked back after Hearts lost 2-0 to Edinburgh rivals Hibernian and the backlash from the club's fans.

Burley turned down the chance to return and Graham Rix has since taken charge as head coach at Tynecastle.

Forsyth, who says Burley was offered his job back only 10 days after his acrimonious departure, said: "Nothing happens without Vladimir Romanov saying so.

"We're still getting details of what happened but it does seem impossible to believe that unless he had okayed it the offer had been made so from that point of view it seems kosher."

Chairman George Foulkes and chief executive Phil Anderton have also both left the club since Burley's departure.

Anderton agreed a confidentiality clause on the basis he would be paid the balance of his remaining salary.

However, Forsyth says that is not now thought to be the case, so he is likely to give his side of the story of Romanov's reign soon.

Former England and Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson was thought to be the leading candidate to succeed Burley before Rix got the job.

The new appointment has been met with some opposition from fans due to Rix's 1999 conviction for unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl and indecent assault.