New Charleroi Coach Rik De Mil Makes Strong Early Impression Ahead of Playdowns

Rik De Mil has already settled well in Charleroi. 10 days before the start of the playdowns against RWDM, the new coach impressed during his first three days. It remains to be seen whether this good first impression will materialize on the field, which will be the most important, but through his speeches and his first training sessions, the new technician Carolo has sent good signals to his group.

The ex-Westerlo coach has already been able to speak individually with certain elements and he will be able to complete the presentations from this Thursday. For 48 hours, the Zebras meet in Durbuy for a mini-training which was not initially planned when Felice Mazzù was still in office. They will end this “seminar” with a friendly match against the Zébras Élites this Saturday afternoon behind closed doors.

By force of circumstances, the partners of Zagence are preparing the last six meetings which are decisive for the future of number 22 while the work should have been focused on the coming season without Nsingi’s exploit. The Carolos cannot therefore get ahead of organizing the 2024-2025 vintage because the uncertainty linked to remaining in D1A does not allow it. Especially since in Charleroi, no one has a salary reduction clause if the club falls into the Challenger Pro League.

Currently, the lease of half a dozen players at the end of their contract next June includes an option which can be lifted unilaterally by the club by March 31. So far, no one has had any news or discussions with the leaders. “I’m not surprised, confides the entourage of a member of the core concerned. Generally, we learn about the exercise of the option by registered mail.”

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Generally, we learn of the exercise of the option by registered mail.

Not being extended by Sunday does not mean that negotiations are definitively broken off either. “With the Relegation playoffs, it’s complicated to bother the board this week to request a meeting. This date is part of a legal framework but nothing prevents them contractually speaking from coming to discuss in April and finding a solution because from April 1, the player’s agreement is required,” says another actor.

Except for Koffi, the suspense remains in place

Looking at the list of those affected, it is easy to classify them into three categories. Those that will definitely be extended first. It is hard to imagine Mehdi Bayat letting Hervé Koffi leave freely after three seasons with Mambourg when he is one of the only ones on the squad to have an interesting market value. The Burkinabé’s lease should be extended until June 2025 even if there is a good chance that he will try a new challenge next summer.

Even if he is disturbed by numerous injuries, Stefan Knezevic also has good odds on the transfer market and he too could extend his adventure on the side of Boulevard Zoé Drion just like Martin Wasinski. Loaned to Kortrijk for a year and a half, the central defender has not played much since the dismissal of Edward Still at the end of September but at 19 years old, the one who was trained at Marcinelle is promising and represents the future. Many clubs will jump at the opportunity if he finds himself without a contract.

For Patron, the trend is towards non-extension. After his good performances during Koffi’s departure for the CAN, the Frenchman now wants to enjoy regular playing time again and the club does not plan to promote him as number 1 even in the event of the departure of the “Chat”. In this case, the arrival of a new goalkeeper is favored and Delavallée would be promoted as official number 2.

Reflection is in order for Jules Van Cleemput. On his intrinsic qualities, it would not exist but the physical problems which regularly keep him away from the field could push the board to leave Hennuyers for free.

Final clap for Ilaimaharitra

Everything seems clear for the four other players finding themselves in this situation. In view of the services rendered over seven seasons, captain Marco Ilaimaharitra will have the right to choose his new challenge. Damien Marcq was warned this winter that it would not be extended. The sentence should be the same for Jonas Bager. Sambrian decision-makers will also offload the salary of Ryota Morioka who at 32 years old no longer justifies his emoluments with a fragile body.

2024-03-28 11:01:00
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