Former Iceland and Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson is reportedly in talks with the Edinburgh club and wants Butcher to be his number two.

Butcher, who has previous experience in the Scottish Premier League with Motherwell, will retain his role as George Burley's assistant with the Scottish national team.

Hearts' owner Vladimir Romanov is expected to unveil the duo later today and bring an end to Stevie Frail's spell as caretaker manager.

Before linking up with the Scotland side, Butcher had been in charge of English League Two side Brentford but failed to engineer a promotion push at Griffin Park.