Hearts have officially appointed Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach, stepping in for Derek McInnes, who recently transitioned to Rangers. This significant change comes after McInnes' departure earlier this month, marking a new chapter for the club.

Vrancken previously led Sint-Truiden to an impressive third place finish in the Belgian Pro League last season. His appointment aims to build on Hearts' recent performance, as they narrowly finished second in the Scottish Premiership behind Celtic. Notably, club captain Lawrence Shankland also followed McInnes to Ibrox, adding to the challenges ahead for the new head coach.

Throughout his coaching career, Vrancken has managed 331 games across five Belgian clubs, showcasing his extensive experience. His accolades include winning the Belgian Cup with Mechelen in 2019 and finishing as runner-up in the top flight with Racing Genk in the 2022/23 season.

Looking ahead, Hearts have an exciting schedule lined up for the 2026/27 season:

• July 22: Sturm Graz (A) - Champions League qualifying second round first leg
• July 29: Sturm Graz (H) - Champions League qualifying second round second leg
• August 1: Aberdeen (A) - Live on Sky Sports
• August 8: Dundee United (H)

With Vrancken at the helm, Hearts fans are eager to see how the team will adapt and compete in the upcoming matches.