Wouter Vrancken will bring 'organised chaos' to Hearts as Celtic and Rangers warned to beware of Belgian's success rate
Despite Hearts early struggles, fans have been promised they will grow to love the Belgian head coach’s style of play
Ex Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld is convinced Wouter Vrancken can make Hearts one of the most exciting teams in Europe due to the “organised chaos” he brings.
The 47-year-old Belgian has endured a challenging start as Jambos head coach, losing his opening four competitive games in charge, including Thursday’s 6-1 Europa League pasting at the hands of Benfica in Lisbon.
That result followed on from a sobering 6-0 aggregate loss to Austrian side Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifiers last month, with individual errors and the concession of two second half penalties proving costly at the Estadio Da Luz.
It has been a nightmare beginning to his Tynecastle reign, with last season’s Premiership runners-up struggling to adapt to Vrancken’s vastly different style of play and defensive structure in comparison to predecessor Derek McInnes.
However, fellow countryman Alderweireld is confident he can overcome a difficult start and transform Hearts’ fortunes. He reckons Vrancken will managed to win fans over and is capable of laying down another title tilt this season.
Speaking to Scandinavian outlet Hajper, Alderweireld said: “Can Wouter Vrancken take on Celtic and Rangers and win the title with Hearts? Yes, for sure because he’s proven it in Belgium, and I can promise you something. Everyone will love the football he will get them playing.
“In Belgium we called it organised chaos when his teams played with people running everywhere and taking lots of risks. You’re all going to love it! Hearts will be the club everyone is looking forward to see play, and that’s the kind of football we need now.
“Everyone is so detail-focused, concentrated and defensive, but he will bring a chaos that is organised, and Celtic and Rangers will have to deal with that.”
What Wouter Vrancken said after Benfica 6 Hearts 1
Vrancken admitted: "We weren’t a good enough first half on the ball. Maybe because of the early goal? But we didn't stick to the game plan and out of possession, we were following the guys and man-marking, taking us out of position.
"We were just kicking the ball away, and the ball was coming back at us just as fast. That was also not the plan. There were a few moments when we played, we felt we had a little bit of air. Second half was much better, and then we saw Benfica also left spaces and we could play football. The goal was nice, that the players felt more and more confident.
"We wanted to go for 4-2 or 4-3 but when you are too open in these moments, they kill you. And it was sad that we give away two stupid penalties away. When you want to do well against Benfica, you can't do that. It's another level, but when we stayed together and showed guts to find spaces, we saw what was possible.
"There are no easy games in Scotland. Every game will be difficult. We have to pick ourselves up. I don't know if the result today will bring any more damage mentally. Maybe yes, because of the last two goals. If it was 4-1, then we'd take that good feeling into the next game."