AnderlechtThe best start of the century. Felice Mazzu impresses in his early weeks at Anderlecht and that is reflected in the numbers. The last to make a better debut with the record champion was Aimé Anthuenis in 1999.
He was also sung about, in the stands and just outside the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. The purple and white audience embraces Felice Mazzu more and more.
Not illogical, with six wins in seven matches (and barely two goals against), the fans haven’t had such a good start to the season in years. The last Anderlecht coach who managed to do this was Frank Vercauteren in… 2005. All 16 other seasons were a bit rough in the early weeks. Whether in the Jupiler Pro League or in the European qualifiers.
But it can be even tougher. Mazzu is the best debuting coach at Neerpede of this century. In 1999, Aimé Anthuenis started his tenure at Anderlecht with six wins and a draw – one point more than Mazzu. Most of the other trainers who came after Anthuenis clearly needed a break-in period before getting up to speed in the Astridpark. Only John van den Brom, who arrived ten years ago, comes close with 16 out of 21.
The results that Mazzu achieves in a short period of time are therefore extremely impressive. They are emphasized even more by the selection with which he achieves them. Mazzu rotated in the first weeks and put in his entire core. The result: an average age of just 24 – and say that with his 36 springs, Lior Refaelov pushed that figure up in many competitions. The only other person over 30: Adrien Trebel (31).
Only Vincent Kompany did it in his early years – often forced – with an even younger team. In turn, Mazzu consciously opts for the youth, because he considers Stroeykens, Arnstad, Sadiki and co ready, and achieves results with it. The triumph in Bern was the best proof. With an average age of 23 years, and a lot of character and fighting spirit, the purple and white youngsters fought their way to an excellent starting position. These days they are being taken in tow by the experienced pawns, as a proud Wesley Hoedt already indicated on Thursday.
What else can make Anderlecht fans dream: Anthuenis became champion by a large margin. Van den Brom, Hasi (who took over just before the play-offs) and Weiler also immediately took the top jay in their debut season.
You can bet that in that case Mazzu will get his own song(s).
Mazzu takes best start since Anthuenis, only starting Kompany with younger team
1999 – Aimé Anthuenis – 19 out of 21 – average age base team: 27.4 years
2002 – Hugo Broos – 13 out of 21 – average age base team: 27.5 years
2005 – Frank Vercauteren – 10 out of 21 – average age base team: 27.1 years
2007 – Ariël Jacobs – 8 out of 21 – average age base team: 26.4 years
2012 – John van den Brom – 16 out of 21 – average age base team: 27.1 years
2014 – Besnik Hasi – 13 out of 21 – average age base team: 24.1 years
2016 – René Weiler – 12 out of 21 – average age base team: 24.3 years
2017 – Hein Vanhaezebrouck – 10 out of 21 – average age base team: 26 years
2019 – Fred Rutten – 11 out of 21 – average age base team: 26.1 years
2019 – Simon Davies – 5 out of 21 – average age base team: 23.2 years
2019 – Frank Vercauteren – 12 out of 21 – average age base team: 22 years
2020 – Vincent Kompany – 10 out of 21 – average age base team: 23 years
2022 – Felice Mazzu – 18 out of 21 – average age base team: 24 years
* figures of trainers who coached at least 7 consecutive matches at RSCA
Mazzu does have a headache about Adrien Trebel (31). The Frenchman was still walking around with a support bandage the day after the race in Bern, after his shoulder dislocated on Thursday. Trebel underwent additional examinations yesterday, but there is no clarity about an exact severity or absence. It is likely to arrive early next week. Anderlecht fears that it will have to miss Trebel for a few weeks. Lior Refaelov can in principle be used against Young Boys next Thursday.
Also read:
Already click with Esposito and Silva and forever a ‘mauve’: why a possible return of Zirkzee to Anderlecht makes more sense than it seems (+)
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