Bruges, Belgium – In a surprising turn of events, Cercle Brugge has parted ways with head coach Onur Cinel, the club announced Wednesday. The move comes just one match before the finish of the Belgian Pro League’s regular season, with Cercle currently second-to-last in the standings.
Cinel, 40, took the helm at Cercle Brugge on July 1, 2025, signing a contract that was slated to run through June 2027. His dismissal marks another change in a volatile season for managers in the Jupiler Pro League, leaving only four coaches from the start of the season still in their positions: Vanderbiest, Taquin, Vrancken and Charaï.
Rapid Rise and Unexpected Exit
The German-Turkish manager’s journey to Cercle Brugge was marked by a swift ascent through the coaching ranks. Prior to joining the Belgian club, Cinel served as an assistant coach at Red Bull Salzburg and simultaneously held a role as assistant coach for the Austria national team under Ralf Rangnick. He had initially arrived at Salzburg as head coach of their youth team, FC Liefering, in 2023, before briefly taking over as caretaker manager of the senior Red Bull Salzburg side in April 2024.
Cinel’s coaching career began in 2009 with youth teams at Essen in Germany. He later managed TuS Heven 09 in 2012 before spending a decade with Schalke 04, progressing through various youth roles and eventually becoming an assistant manager for the club’s second team. His dedication to development and tactical acumen earned him recognition as a promising coaching talent, with internships at Chelsea and Ajax, as well as time spent learning from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
A Tough Season for Cercle Brugge
Despite his pedigree, Cinel was unable to turn around Cercle Brugge’s fortunes this season. The team has struggled for consistency, finding themselves in a precarious position heading into the relegation play-offs. Details regarding the specific reasons for his dismissal have not been publicly released by the club, but the team’s league position undoubtedly played a significant role.
According to Transfermarkt, Cinel managed Cercle Brugge in 31 matches across all competitions during the 2025-2026 season, securing 7 wins, 10 draws, and 14 losses. In Jupiler Pro League play, the team recorded 6 wins, 10 draws, and 13 losses in 29 matches, accumulating 28 points and a points-per-match average of 0.97.
What’s Next for Cercle Brugge?
Cercle Brugge has not yet announced an interim or permanent replacement for Cinel. The club will be under pressure to quickly appoint a new manager who can stabilize the team and guide them through the challenging relegation play-offs. The search for a new coach will likely focus on candidates with experience in Belgian football and a proven track record of improving team performance.
The timing of the change is particularly critical, as the play-offs represent a last chance for Cercle Brugge to secure their place in the Jupiler Pro League for the following season. The club’s supporters will be hoping for a swift and positive response to the managerial change.
Cercle Brugge’s next match is scheduled for [Date of next match – needs verification], against [Opponent – needs verification]. This match will be a crucial test for the team as they navigate the final stages of the season and fight to avoid relegation.
Archysport will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they turn into available.
