Hearts have appointed Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach.
The Belgian replaces Derek McInnes, who left to hitch Rangers earlier this month.
Vrancken led Sint-Truiden to 3rd place within the Belgian Professional League final season.
He’s tasked with constructing on Hearts’ agonising second-place end within the Scottish Premiership to Celtic final season, with membership captain Lawrence Shankland having additionally departed to hitch McInnes at Ibrox.
Vrancken took cost of 331 video games throughout his teaching profession throughout 5 totally different Belgian golf equipment.
He gained the Belgian Cup with Mechelen in 2019 and completed runner-up within the nation’s prime flight with Racing Genk in 2022/23.
Vrancken goals to compete once more for the league title
Vrancken says he’s aiming to compete with Celtic and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title after Hearts went shut final season.
The Jambos end two factors behind Celtic after dropping to the Hoops on the ultimate day, however had been eight forward of Rangers in third.
The brand new Hearts boss additionally provided an perception into why he joined the membership, saying: “I wanted to go abroad a few years ago but the right thing has to come. Now I was at the end of contract, so I had an opening.
“Then Hearts got here and I do know a bit little bit of Hearts as a result of I am good associates with the technical director of Union [St Gilloise], so you realize the hyperlink [Tony Bloom].
“But also because of the way they played last year, so that they can compete for the three top places. The stadium, the atmosphere in the stadium, all those things, and the city.
“That is one of many causes I got here right here, to play for these locations. To compete with the Glasgow groups and to overachieve once more and combat for the highest spots.
“The best clubs to work in are those that have ambitions and this is a good ambition. It’s a good point of focus. Now we have to work for it and aim as high as possible and then we’ll see where we land.”
Hearts’ first 5 fixtures of 2026/27
July
Wednesday 22: Sturm Graz (A) – Champions League qualifying second spherical first leg
Wednesday 29: Sturm Graz (H) – Champions League qualifying second spherical second leg
August
Saturday 1: Aberdeen (A) – Stay on Sky Sports activities
Saturday 8: Dundee United (H)
Saturday 22: Falkirk (A)
