Zulte Waregem experienced a first half of the season with peaks and valleys. This is also reflected in their position in the rankings. After two thirds of the regular competition, Essevee is in twelfth place, just above the danger zone, but is also barely four points behind the top six.
So everything is still possible in the second half of the season for the West Flemish team. They will undoubtedly try to strengthen themselves during the winter mercato. However, they also say goodbye to a pawn.
Luijpers has already left Zulte Waregem
Zulte Waregem announces that Mark Luijpers is already leaving the club. The 55-year-old Dutchman had only been working on the Gaverbeek since the summer. He then joined the staff of Sven Vandenbroeck as an assistant, with whom he still played at Roda JC.
Luijpers had spent almost his entire playing career there, except for three seasons at MVV. The highlight of that career came in 2002, when he scored at San Siro. Roda then forced the great AC Milan to penalties in the eighth final of the UEFA Cup.
Terminated after six months of contract
After retiring as a player, Luijpers became an assistant. He held that position at TOP Oss, MVV and Roda, among others. At that first club it was under Bob Peeters. So in the summer he settled at Zulte Waregem.
But that adventure ends after six months. His contract was terminated just before New Year’s Eve. It remains to be seen whether Zulte Waregem will now look for a new assistant for Vandenbroeck.
Zulte Waregem says goodbye to Mark Luijpers
The club management of Zulte Waregem ended the collaboration with assistant coach Mark Luijpers just before the turn of the year. pic.twitter.com/fnRA2aPVei
— SV Zulte Waregem (@esseveeofficial) January 6, 2026
