Hearts have appointed Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach.
The Belgian replaces Derek McInnes, who moved to Rangers earlier this month.
Vrancken guided Sint-Truiden to a third‑place finish in the Belgian Pro League last season.
He now inherits a squad that finished just behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership last term, after club captain Lawrence Shankland also left to join McInnes at Ibrox.
Across five Belgian clubs Vrancken has managed 331 games in his coaching career.
He secured the Belgian Cup with Mechelen in 2019 and was runner‑up in the top division with Racing Genk in 2022‑23.
New Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken during a press conference at Tynecastle Park (Credit: Steve Welsh/PA)
Vrancken says he is targeting a strong challenge for the Scottish Premiership title alongside Celtic and Rangers, after Hearts came close last season.
The Jambos finished two points behind Celtic after a final‑day loss to the Hoops, but held an eight‑point cushion over Rangers in third place.
The new Hearts boss also explained his decision to join the club, 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 came and I know a little bit of Hearts because I’m good friends with the technical director of Union [St Gilloise] so you know the link [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’s one of the reasons I came here, to play for those places. To compete with the Glasgow teams and to overachieve again and fight for the top 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.”
Vrancken aims to compete again for the league title
Hearts’ first five fixtures of 2026/27
July
Wednesday 22: Sturm Graz (A) – Champions League qualifying second round first leg
Wednesday 29: Sturm Graz (H) – Champions League qualifying second round second leg
August
Saturday 1: Aberdeen (A) – Live on Sky Sports
Saturday 8: Dundee United (H)
Saturday 22: Falkirk (A)