“I see too many smiling faces”: Olivier Deschacht puts his finger on the wound at “hate-free” Anderlecht
A double confrontation with Antwerp can make the year, but it can also break it even further. Anderlecht faces a crucial turning point in its season tonight, just after the exit of coach Besnik Hasi. But will the record champion finally reveal his true DNA? “I just see too much mediocrity for that,” says Olivier Deschacht.
Will the dismissal of Besnik Hasi change anything at Anderlecht?
That question is currently hanging like a thundercloud over the Lotto Park. Because anyone who looks beyond the umpteenth coaching change sees a team that has been struggling with itself for some time. Rarely has the “DNA of Anderlecht”, a concept that is so fondly referred to, seemed to become so vague.
Olivier Deschacht, the eternal child at home, also sees with sorrow how far the club has drifted from itself.
According to him, the problem currently lies much deeper than the dugout. A mentality issue. One that gnaws at the foundations of the club.
“Look, we had men like Gillet, Proto, Juhasz, Wasilewski… In some matches you didn’t even need a coach. We hated losing, even for ourselves. We hated Standard and Club. Just seeing those men, you could already feel it boiling.”
Do those guys just not have that winning mentality today?
Olivier Deschacht
That image is in stark contrast to what Deschacht observes today. “Now I see smiling faces on the bench. Then I wonder: are they content to sit there? If you had put Proto or Gillet on the bench, you would have had a war in the dressing room. That ensured that everyone was extra motivated.”
“Do those guys just not have that winning mentality today? Because it’s the same story every time.”
According to him, this is not a coincidence. “Many players won everything in their youth. It all came easy. Believe me: the Lukakus were not so successful solely on talent. They were ambitious. I miss that mentality.”
Hasi’s departure should now have a shock effect, but for the time being it mainly feels like a symptom of a broader problem.
“I missed that Besnik mentality in his team,” Deschacht concludes. “But if that animal is not inside you… Yes, then of course it will be difficult.”
Vision
In addition to the mental problem he outlines, Olivier Deschacht quickly arrives at a second sore point: the lack of clarity at the moment in Lotto Park.
“Look, I notice that a certain vision is gradually emerging and that there is some continuity with Michael Verschueren. I think it’s a shame that Hasi is no longer there, and it must have been a pain in the heart for Verschueren too. But they have to continue to focus on more people from the house. People who know what it is to perform every day for the Purple & White.”
In that light, the position of technical director Olivier Renard also seems to be under increasing pressure. With his Standard past, he has always been the odd one out, and his disappointing track record is currently also shaking his seat.
“There simply needs to be clear communication quickly: continue or stop. Otherwise you cannot create peace or continuity.”
It has become a major issue, and it will have to be won.
Olivier Deschacht
And then there is something about which Deschacht expresses his doubts: the core that is currently composed. This does not generate much enthusiasm from the ex-player.
“I see too much mediocrity. Especially defensively… No good central defender is affordable? I don’t understand that at all. You can live with a winger who flops, but without top central defenders and a good defensive midfielder you simply cannot build a team.”
That is why he advocates less gambling and more targeted choices. “You shouldn’t always want to achieve too much. One top player per line every year and show some patience.”
However, Anderlecht hardly seems to be able to afford that patience. Another important meeting awaits tonight against Antwerp, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Cup. Once again a setback is looming – or just a boost that could give the season a different face.
“That will be crucial, yes. Winning the Cup is a trophy and European football. You have to win something again as a club to attract top players again. So the importance cannot be underestimated. It has become a main issue, and we will have to win.”
Then we can gradually start thinking about Anderlecht’s famous DNA again.
