The Belgian Football Association has a new CEO. The Board of Directors has unanimously elected Piet Vandendriessche (58). In the past he was CEO of Deloitte. Vandendriessche will take over from interim CEO Manu Leroy from mid-January.
The choice of Piet Vandendriessche can still be called a surprise. Unlike other candidates such as Peter Willems (ex-OHL), Manu Leroy (current interim CEO) and Philippe Rosier (Voetbal Vlaanderen), he has no history in football.
The West Flemish man has an excellent reputation in the business world thanks to his great achievements at Deloitte, a financial and business services provider.
There he was known as “a doubler”, because almost all parameters were multiplied by two under the rule of Vandendriessche, who stepped down as CEO in July 2023.
“Sport and football have always been one of my great passions. I am therefore particularly motivated to work at the KBVB and put my previous leadership experience at the service of the association and all its members,” Vandendriessche responded in a press release .
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Need for stability
Vandendriessche must above all ensure stability at the KBVB again. In March, then CEO Peter Bossaert was fired after signing an improved contract without the knowledge of the Board of Directors.
Chairman Paul Van den Bulck, who had accompanied Bossaert to the exit, was later evicted after a letter of complaint from the management committee about “derogatory and intimidating” behavior.
The chaos was so complete.
Manu Leroy, previously active as marketing director at the football association, succeeded Bossaert as interim CEO and was also a candidate to remain so. But he doesn’t make it.
The previous strong duo at the KBVB, Paul Van den Bulck and Peter Bossaert, prepared each other’s downfall.
Structural and sporting challenges
The 58-year-old Piet Vandendriessche is the striking new strong man at the KBVB.
He was nominated by a working group consisting of federation chairman Pascale Van Damme, Anderlecht chairman Wouter Vandenhaute and amateur football representatives Jorg Keldermans and Philippe Godin.
“Piet Vandendriessche will steer digital innovation in the right direction and continue our fight against racism and discrimination in and around the football fields,” Van Damme responds.
“The new CEO will also further and sustainably strengthen our social role by writing a sporty story with great results.”
Piet Vandendriessche will steer digital innovation in the right direction and continue our fight against racism and discrimination in and around the football fields.
Pacale Van Damme, president of the association
Vandendriessche faces many challenges at the KBVB. In difficult budgetary times, he must ensure that the Belgian association is up to date with all developments in international football. Especially now that another nice group of Red Devils is arriving.
The further development of the team and the Red Flames product, which has been performing increasingly better recently, is also high on the agenda. After all, our country is a candidate to organize the Women’s World Cup in 2027, together with the Netherlands and Germany.
The further development of the Red Flames is an important objective.
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2023-12-14 09:29:46
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