Ivanauskas left the club overnight by mutual consent, becoming the fourth full-time boss to depart since controversial majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov bought control of the club in February 2005.

Foulkes, who resigned in protest following the sacking of manager George Burley and chief executive Phil Anderton by Romanov in October 2005, insists no self-respecting manager will now want anything to do with the club, amid rumours that Romanov exerts a strong influence on team affairs.

"No-one who has any pride and who wants to make their own decisions would take that job," Foulkes told Sky Sports News.

"We had a successful formula with George Burley as manager, with Phil Anderton as chief executive. We were at the top of the SPL, we had the best start we've had since the First World War.

"We were on the way to winning the SPL, to qualifying for Europe and doing well and that was all thrown away when George Burley was sacked, Phil Anderton was sacked and I resigned in protest.

"Ever since then, it's been downhill."

John Robertson was in charge of Hearts when Romanov won control of the club, but left in May 2005 after refusing to accept a lesser role within the coaching structure. Burley's reign lasted less than four months despite a superb start to the SPL season, before Graham Rix managed the club from November 2005 to March 2006.

Ivanauskas succeeded him, and his departure follows a spell of leave granted due to stress between October and December last year, when his Lithuanian compatriots Eduard Malofeev and Eugenijus Riabovas both stood in for him. His exit seemed certain once Anatoly Korobochka was appointed as interim head coach at the start of this month.

Foulkes believes the constant chopping and changing is no good for stability or continuity at the capital club, and added: "Events are causing that despair and despondency.

"I don't think anything that happens at Tynecastle now surprises anyone.

"There was lack of leadership on the pitch on Saturday when we were beaten 4-0 by Dundee United. There was lack of leadership also in the boardroom in that none of the Lithuanians - none of the directors - were present and none of their representatives were present."

Ivanauskas sounded a positive note as he left the club.

"I am very proud to have been Hearts' coach," he told the club's website www.heartsfc.co.uk.

"In my career as a young coach, it has been my best and most interesting experience."

"I want to say how proud I am of the team. The team is currently in the process of forming itself and I can see it will have a great future.

"I would like to thank the staff at the club, who have supported me during my time in Edinburgh.

"Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to the best fans in Scotland, especially those who have given their support when times were tough."