Former Red Devil Gilles De Bilde looked back on his career and the evolution of the football environment in an interview with Sudinfo. He explicitly expressed his appreciation for Vincent Mannaert, who assisted him in an important contract negotiation at the time.
According to De Bilde, the distance between players and media has increased significantly over the years. Although he still maintains contact with some former international players, such as Lukaku, De Bruyne and Courtois, his relationship with younger players is more limited. “The young people know me because they are well briefed by the communications department,” he said.
Personal bond with Vincent Mannaert
In the interview, De Bilde emphasizes his long-standing bond with Vincent Mannaert. “I know Vincent Mannaert very well,” he explains. Their collaboration goes back to their joint period at Eendracht Aalst.
“We rode together when we played at Aalst,” says De Bilde about his bond with Mannaert. This connection later took an important turn when Mannaert helped him with a transfer to England.
Negotiations
De Bilde says that Mannaert actively helped him conclude his contract. “Later he helped me to sign a better contract with Sheffield Wednesday,” said De Bilde. “As a friend, and because he had studied law a little, he had suggested that I come along to negotiate my contract.”
According to De Bilde, Mannaert’s intervention had a concrete result in his favor. “He helped me get better conditions,” he concludes his argument.
