The 36-year-old, who retired from playing to take up a coaching role at Hearts in 2021, will lead the Tynecastle side for the remaining seven matches of the Scottish Premiership campaign and if his audition proves successful, and he reclaims third place from Aberdeen to set up the prospect of European group stage football next season, then he will likely be in contention to land the job on a permanent basis.
This has been reflected in the bookmakers odds with the former Scotland internationalist listed as the current favourite to still be manager of the Gorgie club when the 2023-24 season kicks off in August.
Should Hearts decide to turn to a more experienced coach then there is a whole list of candidates who the bookies reckons could be in the frame including the recently departed ex-Chelsea assistant manager and the current head coach of Brentford B team.
Here are the top names listed by McBookie as most likely to be Hearts manager for the opening league match of next season…
5. Danny Cowley 10/1
The 44-year-old Englishman has been out of work since January after leaving Portsmouth. However, his stock is still high following excellent work at Lincoln City and also Huddersfield Town. Worked his way up from non-league in England and would fit into Hearts’ current football department structure. Photo: Jacques Feeney
6. Gary Monk 10/1
A club legend at Swansea - who he played for across all four divisions before leading them to their highest ever Premier League finish as manager - he has also had spells in charge of Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. Has been out of work since 2020. Photo: George Wood
7. Ian Holloway 10/1
The eccentric Englishman was recently interviewed for the Motherwell job but missed out to Stuart Kettlewell. The 60-year-old has managed 46 matches in the English Premier League and enjoyed two promotion-winning campaigns via the Championship play-offs at Blackpool and Crystal Palace. Photo: George Wood
8. Chris Wilder - 12/1
The 55-year-old was the frontrunner for the Aberdeen job before accepting an offer to take charge of Watford until the end of the season. Should he not land the Hornets role permanently, Hearts, or Aberdeen for that matter, could yet turn to the man who famously guided Sheffield United from League One to the EPL across a five-year stint. Photo: Clive Rose