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Hearts secure first win under Wouter Vrancken

Heart of Midlothian have finally secured their first win under new head coach Wouter Vrancken, with statistics showing their success was only a matter of time.

Hearts secure first win under Wouter Vrancken

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After an opening run of four defeats, including a difficult 6-1 loss to Benfica, Heart of Midlothian have finally found their footing. The 4-0 home victory over Dundee United at Tynecastle has provided a much-needed boost for new head coach Wouter Vrancken, cooling the pressure from critics and fans alike.

While the start was challenging, underlying statistics suggest the team's performance has been more promising than results indicated. In previous matches against Sturm Graz and Aberdeen, the side created plenty of chances but failed to capitalize. Remarkably, their expected goals (xG) from open play in the loss to Sturm Graz was higher than in the win over United.

The early struggles were perhaps inevitable given the transition period, with a new manager and a significant squad overhaul following the departure of key players. The recent victory shows that Vrancken's tactical approach is beginning to yield tangible results as the players' decision-making and execution improve.

Regarding the squad, Vrancken confirmed that winger Alexandros Kyziridis is set to move to Turkey in a deal that represents a significant profit for the club. With options like Sabri Guendouz already integrated into the squad, the club feels well-equipped to manage the departure.

Prepared by TheGoalStorm based on reporting by bbc.sport