Wouter Vrancken, the new head coach of Hearts, has drawn on his own experience of title heartbreak to empathise with his squad's agony after losing the Scottish Premiership on the final day. The Belgian manager saw his KRC Genk side lose the Jupiler League title in the 94th minute to a Toby Alderweireld strike in 2023, just as Hearts saw their championship hopes dashed by Daizen Maeda's 87th-minute goal for Celtic last month.
Vrancken knows the feeling
Speaking at his unveiling as Hearts manager, Vrancken said: 'I had it also when I was coaching Genk. Two minutes from the title - I know the feeling. It's not a nice feeling and it can take some time to get over it.' He stressed that the only way to move past the disappointment is to focus on the next season. 'With a good spirit, with a lot of energy and constructive work, we can get over it as soon as possible and fight for the new things to come,' he added.
Fresh start after McInnes departure
Vrancken replaces Derek McInnes, who led Hearts to the top of the table for seven months before the final-day collapse. McInnes has since moved to Rangers. Vrancken believes a new approach can help: 'It's also other principles. It's another way of working. I respect a lot what Derek did last year. What a great season. But it's going to be totally different because you cannot copy another one.'
Style of play and preparation
The 47-year-old outlined his football philosophy: 'I like to have the ball. I like to have it positive and constructive and also a lot of joy in the game. We try to create this with the positive kind of play - as offensive as possible with a lot of pressure, with a lot of intensity, energy, aggression, a lot of position switches, dynamics, connections.'
With less than four weeks before a Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz on July 21, Vrancken is working quickly to implement his ideas. The squad has been bolstered by seven new signings, and a pre-season trip to Spain is planned. 'It's real short preparation of course to the Sturm Graz game, a few weeks only. So it's also good that we are spending time in Spain together without noise from outside,' he said.
Previous success
Vrancken won the Belgian second division and Belgian Cup with Mechelen in his first season seven years ago. Last season, he led Sint Truiden to their highest league finish in 60 years, third in the Jupiler League, earning his second Belgian Manager of the Year award. He hopes to replicate that success in Gorgie.
