Vrancken appointed Hearts boss ahead of Champions League tie

Wouter Vrancken, 47, was officially introduced on Thursday afternoon as the new head coach of Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh, with the Scottish club preparing for a Champions League second‑qualifying round tie against Sturm Graz. He replaces Derek McInnes, who left for Rangers, and joins a side owned 29 % by Tony Bloom, the Brighton businessman who revived Union Saint‑Gilloise. Vrancken departed Sint‑Truiden after steering the Belgian side to a third‑place finish and securing a European ticket. He said he felt ready for a new challenge, particularly abroad. In the weeks before his appointment, Vrancken was in contention with several clubs, including Burnley, Lorient and Bulgarian champions Ludogorets. “It feels great to be here,” Vrancken said at his presentation. “I look forward to starting this adventure. I have wanted to move abroad for years, but the right club did not appear immediately.”

Wouter Vrancken signs two-year deal to coach Heart of Midlothian

Heart of Midlothian is 29 % owned by Tony Bloom, the Brighton businessman who also revived Union Saint‑Gilloise. Bloom’s firm Jamestown Analytics supplies unique player data to one club per country. Hearts finished the season in third place, earned a European ticket and contested the league title until the final matchday, when Celtic claimed the crown. Targeted signings from Norway and Slovakia contributed to the strong campaign. Derek McInnes left Hearts to join Rangers FC, a move linked to Nicolas Raskin. Vrancken therefore steps in as his successor.

Hearts hire Wouter Vrancken as new head coach

Vrancken’s first test arrives next month as Hearts face Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Meanwhile, Sint‑Truiden confirmed former assistant Frédéric De Meyer as its new head coach.