Hearts: Wouter Vrancken is close to becoming the new head coach

Hearts are edging closer to appointing Belgian Football Manager of the Year Wouter Vranken as the club’s new head coach.

The 47-year-old left hometown club Sint-Truiden this summer after leading them to third place in the Belgian Pro League – their highest finish in 60 years – in his first full season in post.

Derek McInnes left Hearts for Rangers last week after leading the club to second place last season, missing out on a first title since 1960 to Celtic on the final day.

Hearts are now close to confirming his replacement. Vranken is set to take charge of his first club outside his homeland after impressive spells at Sint-Truiden and Genk, which he led to the brink of the Belgian title in 2023.

After starting his coaching career in the lower leagues of Belgium, his return to the top flight was as an assistant to his former club.

He took over as Mechelen boss in 2018 and led them to promotion and the Belgian Cup in the same season before three top-eight finishes in the top flight.