Union SG will start the Belgian title battle from pole position next weekend. In itself a very good achievement considering the many strong players who left the Dudenpark last summer. But their replacements have also made quite an impression.
Union has always been close to the title in the past two seasons. In 2022, however, it was overtaken in the POs by Club Brugge, last season they let the title slip away in the closing minutes of the championship. After that unlikely denouement, it was feared that the Unionists had lost their last great chance at the national title.
Exodus well captured
After all, success coach Karel Geraerts was said goodbye to in the summer. Then almost half the basic team left. Supporters such as Teddy Teuma, Victor Boniface, Siebe Van der Heyden, Senne Lynen, Bart Nieuwkoop, … all moved to different places.
But an ideal new coach was found in Alexander Blessin and the departing players were also excellently replaced. Some boys who were still in the waiting room last season took their chance. Cameron Puertas, for example, even came second in the Golden Boot election. And Gustaf Nilsson is an excellent spearhead.
Strong Vanhoutte
Union also managed to attract several new trendsetters. Mohamed Amoura turned out to be a bull’s eye and seems to be the next to leave for big money. Kevin Mac Allister grew into a mainstay at the back. And Charles Vanhoutte has also made quite an impression in recent months.
However, it should not be the biggest surprise that the controlling midfielder is doing so well in the Duden Park. After all, Vanhoutte was already an extremely valuable force at Cercle Brugge last season. Union was not the only club that pulled his sleeve. AA Gent apparently also had him in the target.
Bad luck for Vanhaezebrouck
In an extensive conversation with The last news Vanhoutte now reveals that coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck in particular pulled his sleeve hard. “Hein was the first to call me. He really wanted me, but others within Ghent may have been bothered. I know he made a lot of effort for me. After a match against Ghent he emphasized once again that he was on the accelerator. the pushing was to bring me in. But then Union was there,” said Vanhoutte.
2024-03-27 07:37:00
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