Edgaras Jankauskas, the Hearts assistant manager, is to leave the club along with Julija Goncaruk, the owner Vladimir Romanov's niece, who has resigned from her role as non-executive director.
Jankauskas, a member of Hearts' 2006 Scottish Cup-winning team, was appointed a year ago at the behest of Romanov. The 38-year-old – a Champions League winner with Porto – joined Hearts as a player on loan from FBK Kaunas in 2005 and spent two seasons in Edinburgh.
"It has been a great experience, an honour and privilege to have been here as assistant manager for the past year," said Jankauskas. "Tynecastle is a special place and I will always retain fond memories of the stadium and particularly the supporters. They have been phenomenal this season and I'm only disappointed that we didn't have a better campaign for them. I have enjoyed my time here and I'm sure it will prove of great benefit as I look to continue my career off the park."
Goncaruk was appointed only the second female director in the club's history in summer 2005 with the remit of "working closely with staff in the commercial and retail departments at the club."
The departures of Jankuaskas and Goncaruk come at a time when Romanov's grip on Hearts appears to be loosening. He owns the club through his Ukio Bankas Investment Group although that company has asked to be considered as insolvent in Lithuania. Shareholders are expected to seek clarity over the ownership status of the club at today's annual meeting. The existing Hearts board is made up of chairman/interim chief executive Roman Romanov – Vladimir's son – Sergejus Fedotovas and Vitalijus Vasiliauskas.
A spokesman for the group of Scandinavian businessmen who have been linked with a takeover at Tynecastle confirmed that his clients were monitoring the situation: "We have made contact with the appropriate authorities in Lithuania and elsewhere to gain access to the necessary information, as well as make it known that this group of businessmen may be interested in fielding a bid for the club," said Craig Henderson, managing partner of Crest Sports Group.
"We have a team working full time in Kaunas to monitor the situation and keep contact with the appropriate parties in relation to the situation at Hearts. This team includes the necessary local legal capacity to field a bid for the club and negotiate the terms of a takeover, should a decision to move ahead be taken.
"We must stress the final decision whether to field a bid will depend on the outcome of processes surrounding UKIO Bankas and UBIG as well as other companies related to Vladimir Romanov and UBIG. A bid would be based on a single cash payment to take over the club without the debt owed to UKIO and UBIG and other companies owned and controlled by the Romanov family."
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