Wouter Vrancken set to become Heart of Midlothian manager

Belgian coach Wouter Vrancken is set to leave Saint-Trond and take over as manager of Heart of Midlothian, with the appointment expected in the coming days after a season that saw him guide the Canaris to European qualification.

Burnley, Lorient and Ludogorets have all shown interest in Vrancken, but the project offered by Heart of Midlothian proved decisive. Discussions have progressed to the point where only a few financial details remain to be settled.

Heart of Midlothian finished second in the Scottish championship after a prolonged battle with Celtic for the title. The club now looks to build on that position under a new manager.

Next month the team will meet Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The European tie will provide Vrancken with his first experience of continental competition in Scotland.

If the move materialises, Vrancken will succeed Derek McInnes, who departed to take charge of Rangers. The appointment fulfills Vrancken's desire to work in a new league after several months of speculation.

Having led the Canaris to a European berth, Vrancken will face a different context with an ambitious club aiming to retain a leading role in Scottish football and shine on the European stage. Since Tony Bloom’s arrival in the club’s ownership in summer 2025, Heart of Midlothian has increased reliance on data‑driven recruitment through his company Jamestown Analytics.