Hein Vanhaezebrouck is a former player for KV Kortrijk, KRC Harelbeke and Sporting Lokeren, among other clubs.

Vanhaezebrouck left White Star Lauwe to become the coach of KV Kortrijk on 1 July 2006, replacing Manu Ferrera.

In the Belgian Cup, Kortrijk were beaten in the quarter finals against KAA Gent, despite a 5–1 victory in the home game.

KAA Gent expressed interest in him as a possible successor to Trond Sollied as head coach.

There, he reached his biggest success, as he won, after his championships with Kortrijk in Third and Second Division, also the championship with Gent in First Division in 2015, after a 2-0 victory against Standard Liège, and met European success with KAA Gent, in both the UEFA Champions League, reaching the 2nd round (season 2015-2016), and in the UEFA Europa League, reaching the 3rd round (season 2016-2017).