Wouter Vrancken will travel to Edinburgh to finalise his appointment as Hearts manager, with the club closing in on a deal to replace Derek McInnes.
The former Sint-Truiden boss hopes to bring two fellow Belgians with him to Tynecastle as part of his backroom setup at the Scottish Premiership club.
Record Sport understands Vrancken wants ex-Club Brugge midfielder Tim Smolders and Jong Cercle coach Cederique Tulleners to serve as his assistants in Gorgie.
Vrancken impressed Hearts after leading Sint-Truiden to third spot in the Jupiler League, their highest finish in 60 years, as a 47-year-old manager.
Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones and chairman Calum Paterson conducted interviews in London over the past week using their Jamestown Analytics partner to identify candidates.
Barring any late complications, the former Genk, Gent, and Mechelen boss is expected to sign his deal before meeting players for pre-season training on Thursday.
Smolders, 45, is available after departing his role as assistant to Karel Geraerts at Stade de Reims last month, bringing considerable European coaching experience.
He previously served as assistant for Belgium’s U19 side under Jacky Mathjissen and held roles at Schalke and Club Brugge’s academy structure.
As a player, Smolders won the Belgian title with Club Brugge in 2003, having also helped the club claim the Belgian Cup and Super Cup the previous year.
Tulleners, 35, has built a coaching career spanning Shenzhen Peng City in China, Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and a stint with Lithuania’s U21 national side.
Meanwhile, Hearts have allowed Austrian defender Michael Steinwender to depart for Vfl Bochum after 18 months and 34 appearances in Gorgie last season.
The club is expected to earn a profit on the six-figure fee they paid IFK Vernal for Steinwender back in January 2025, representing a solid return on investment.
Hearts have informed Lyon they must pay in excess of £8.5 million if they wish to sign Claudio Braga, with the Ligue 1 club eyeing a summer move.
French forward Sabri Guendouz is closing in on becoming Hearts’ sixth signing of the summer after a productive season with Beerschot in Belgium.
Guendouz, who moved to Beerschot from Guingamp, scored three goals and registered seven assists as the club finished third in the Challenger League.
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