Heart of Midlothian is zeroing in on Dutch coach Rene Hake as the frontrunner to become the club’s next manager, with talks already underway between the two parties. The 54-year-old, who has spent time on the coaching staffs at Manchester United and Feyenoord, is reportedly considering the move to Edinburgh as Hearts looks to chart a new course in Scottish football.

Hake’s betting odds currently sit at 3/1 to land the job, placing him ahead of the pack in what has become a closely watched managerial race. The discussions, which took place in mid-June 2026, signal that Hearts is serious about bringing in a coach with continental pedigree and a clear tactical identity.

Who is Rene Hake?

Born on December 18, 1971, Hake is not a household name in British football, but his CV tells a story of steady ascent through the Dutch football ecosystem. He has accumulated nearly 400 matches of coaching experience across the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top flight, working with clubs like Twente and Utrecht before taking the head coaching role at Go Ahead Eagles from 2022 to 2024.

His time at Go Ahead Eagles was notable enough to catch the attention of bigger operations. In 2024, he joined Manchester United as an assistant coach. He then moved to Feyenoord in 2025, where he served as an assistant through the 2025-2026 season.

Why Hearts needs a new direction

The vacancy at Tynecastle stems from the expected departure of Derek McInnes, who has been linked with a move to Rangers.

Hake’s tactical calling card is the 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that prioritizes control in midfield while maintaining attacking flexibility. His Eredivisie background is also relevant here. The Dutch league, like the Scottish Premiership, features a small number of financial heavyweights and a larger group of clubs that must rely on coaching, youth development, and smart recruitment to stay competitive. Hake has spent his entire career operating in that environment.