Daniel Stendel has revealed he is acting as Hearts boss for FREE during the coronvavirus pandemic, to make sure the Tynecastle club avoid a financial meltdown.

Jambos owner Ann Budge revealed this week that she would be asking players and management staff to take a 50 percent wage cut during the Scottish football hiatus.

And German boss Stendal has taken the plunge to return to his homeland while refusing a salary until further notice.

READ MORE: Hearts owner Ann Budge admits £1m lost revenue is "a serious situation" for the Tynecastle club

He told The Scottish Sun: “I told the owner that I would dispense with my whole salary for a while. We earn very good money compared with other employees who would suffer much more if your company suddenly reduce your salary by 50 per cent.

“Me? I have a family too and I’m not a millionaire. But I want to be a good example. Hearts are a great club.”

Budge told earlier this week how the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent Scottish football shutdown has left the Gorgie club with a £1 million void in finances.

READ MORE: PFA Scotland chief executive calls for cooperation

Budge, whose 75.1 majority shareholding was due to be transferred to the Foundation of Hearts supporters’ group imminently, had budgeted for an income of £500,000 from four upcoming home fixtures and expected the Gorgie club to bank the same amount from the Scottish Cup semi-final.

“In the blink of an eye, £1 million that we anticipated having as income in April has gone,” she said. "That has a huge impact on any club. All clubs will have similar problems, maybe not to the same extent, but that's money we thought we would have that we won't have.

“Add to that the fact that we've spent a lot on infrastructure. Why? So that we can actually run events and have an income stream outside of football. We can't run events any more. From Friday, we were having all sorts of things cancelled. Our non-football income has also taken a hit.

READ MORE: Partick Thistle change club name and crest amid coronavirus pandemic to support fans

“We've had the immediate impact of cancelling the games, we've got the knock-on effect to the rest of our business. We've got the uncertainty of when we can put our season tickets on sale.

“On top of that, the potential to be relegated with the financial issues that takes. There is no point in me pretending. This is a serious situation.”