 After a disastrous run of results during the 2007–08 season, Hearts issued a statement on 1 January 2008 that said they would look to appoint a "British-style" manager in the near future.Romanov placed Stevie Frail in charge for the rest of the season, but Hearts disappointingly finished eighth in the league.Immediately after the end of the season, Hearts approached Motherwell for permission to speak to Mark McGhee with the intention of appointing him as their new manager.