Peter Willems is no longer the chief executive officer of the Belgian football association, following an irreparable breakdown in his working relationship with president Pascale Van Damme, according to multiple sports media reports.
The decision to dismiss Willems was finalized during an extraordinary digital meeting of the organization’s board of directors, as reported by Sporza. Willems had been in office since September 2024 and was originally signed to a contract running through the middle of 2028.
Tensions within the governing body escalated significantly following the Balogun affair during the World Cup, where Willems, Van Damme, and technical director Vincent Mannaert reportedly disagreed on how to handle the situation and what posture to adopt toward FIFA president Gianni Infantino. According to coverage by Sporza, Van Damme subsequently pushed for Willems’ departure after a sharp division emerged at the top of the organization.
Sources cited by local sports outlets indicate that Willems allegedly expressed critical views regarding Van Damme’s functioning to both UEFA and FIFA, while other internal factions pointed to broader friction over leadership styles. An expensive internal digitalization project that has failed to function properly also contributed to the board’s decision to cut ties.
Despite the administrative conflict, internal staff figures noted that Willems had made substantial positive impacts on the federation’s financial and operational health. By implementing strict cost-saving measures, he steered the organization from a deficit of twelve million euro toward a projected profit of seven million euro, positioning the current fiscal period as the best year ever financially and commercially for the governing body.
Vincent Mannaert Emerges as Candidate for CEO Role
Following the dismissal of Peter Willems, signals within the Belgian football association point toward technical director Vincent Mannaert as a candidate to step into the chief executive role, according to reporting by Het Nieuwsblad and Het Laatste Nieuws. Mannaert’s name was discussed on the board of directors.
Mannaert brings executive experience to the discussion, having previously served as the CEO of Belgian clubs Club Brugge and Zulte Waregem. While he is viewed as a candidate, questions remain regarding whether he will formally accept the position.
The leadership transition comes at a sensitive operational time for the Belgian football association as it navigates ongoing administrative restructuring, financial stabilization, and international relations following the World Cup disputes.
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