‘They Call an Ambulance’: Club Brugge Coach Ivan Leko Slams National Team Training

Club Brugge may have walked away with a convincing 4-2 victory over Anderlecht on Monday, but manager Ivan Leko was far from celebrating. Instead, the Croatian strategist used his post-match press conference to launch a scathing attack on the training standards of national teams, claiming his players returned from international duty in a state of physical collapse.

The outburst followed a high-stakes clash in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League play-offs champions. Although the scoreline favored the Bruges side, Leko was infuriated by the conditioning of his squad, specifically noting that five of his players suffered from cramps during the match.

For a manager who expects his athletes to be at their peak during the business end of the season, the sight of his stars struggling to finish the game was unacceptable. According to Leko, the culprit was not the intensity of the Belgian league, but a lack of rigor during the late-March international break.

‘Two Weeks of Vacation’

Leko did not mince words when describing the work ethic of the national setups his players recently visited. He characterized the international window as little more than a holiday, suggesting that the focus had shifted from athletic preparation to leisure.

“Maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I’m going to do it anyway,” Leko told reporters. “They were coming back from two weeks of vacation. A team building here, a spa stay there.”

The manager’s frustration peaked when he described the irony of players who are typically elite athletes suddenly becoming liabilities on the pitch. He claimed that while the social aspect of international duty is pleasant, the physical fallout is severe.

“It must be nice to see your friends again, but once they return, they call an ambulance,” Leko said. “’Please, replace me!’ Normally, they are machines, and there they were lying on the ground.”

The Affected Players

The criticism was not general; Leko specifically pointed to several key internationals whose physical dip impacted the match. While five players suffered cramps, four were singled out as returning from inadequate national team regimes:

• Nicolò Tresoldi (Italy U19)
• Aleksandar Stankovic (Serbia)
• Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria)
• Joël Ordonez (Ecuador)

The impact was visible in the game management. Both Nicolò Tresoldi and Aleksandar Stankovic were forced off the pitch, substituted in the 65th and 76th minutes, respectively, as their physical condition deteriorated.

For those unfamiliar with the Belgian league structure, the play-offs champions stage is where the top teams battle for the title and European qualification. At this stage of the calendar, players are expected to be at their physical zenith; having key starters “lying on the ground” due to cramping is a tactical nightmare for any coach.

Club vs. Country: The 2026 World Cup Tension

This dispute highlights a perennial tension in global football: the friction between club managers, who maintain players’ fitness year-round, and national team coaches, who have limited windows to prepare their squads. Leko framed this as a matter of professional respect.

The timing is particularly sensitive as several nations are currently in the midst of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Leko argued that the perceived lightness of the training during the March break showed a lack of “respect for the coaches who work with them all year to bring them to the best of their physical form.”

By labeling the international gatherings as “vacations,” Leko has effectively challenged the methodology of several national federations, suggesting that “team building” and “spa” visits are being prioritized over the grueling conditioning required for professional football.

Key Takeaways from Leko’s Outburst

• Physical Decline: Five Club Brugge players suffered cramps during a 4-2 win over Anderlecht.
• Specific Targets: Tresoldi, Stankovic, Onyedika, and Ordonez were identified as returning in poor condition.
• The Accusation: Leko claims national teams focused on “spas” and “team building” rather than training.
• The Consequence: Two key players had to be substituted before the 80th minute due to fatigue.

As Club Brugge continues its push in the Jupiler Pro League, the fallout from these comments may ripple through the international community. Whether the national team coaches of Serbia, Nigeria, Ecuador, or Italy U19 respond to the “ambulance” remark remains to be seen.

The club’s next focus remains the championship race, where maintaining the health of their “machines” will be critical to securing the title.

Do you think club managers are too hard on national teams, or is the “spa culture” hurting player fitness? Let us know in the comments.