Besnik Hasi, the former RSC Anderlecht manager currently leading Turkish side Amedspor, has identified a significant shift in the operational culture at his former club. Speaking on the evolution of the Belgian powerhouse, Hasi pointed to a lack of clear decision-making processes and an overcrowded working environment at the Neerpede training complex as primary contributors to the club’s recent struggles.
Loss of Decisive Leadership at Neerpede
Hasi, who managed Anderlecht before his departure, contrasted his tenure with what he perceives as the current state of the club. In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, he described a past characterized by “short lines” of communication where decisions were made quickly and decisively. He noted that the environment has since transformed into a “coming and going of people” that, while knowledgeable, lacks the specific work ethic and conditions he associates with the club’s identity.
The former coach highlighted the congestion at the Neerpede facility as a tangible symptom of these changes. According to Hasi, the site has become too crowded to function efficiently for the first team, as it now houses the A-squad, the U23 team and its staff, the women’s team, and various administrative departments. He recalled the frustration of the environment, noting, “It is always busy. So busy that I sometimes asked myself: ‘Have I said hello to that person yet or not?’”
A Call for Structural Separation
To restore the professional standards required for elite competition, Hasi argued that the first team needs a dedicated, independent space. He suggested that the A-squad should be situated completely apart from the other club operations to regain focus. Hasi identified the team under Ariël Jacobs—which featured players such as Miloš Jovanović, Dieumerci Mbokani, and Lucas Biglia—as the last truly strong squad the club produced before a period of decline began around 2013.
Lessons from Club Brugge’s Stability
Hasi’s analysis included a direct comparison to the recent successes of Club Brugge. He observed that Anderlecht had, for too long, taken its position in the league for granted, assuming a lack of competition. By contrast, he framed the success of Club Brugge not as a project of two or three years, but as the result of long-term, structural work.
Despite his critique of the current administrative and organizational structure, Hasi maintained a positive outlook on the club's eventual trajectory. “Anderlecht will definitely come back,” he stated. “Sooner or later.”
Current Context and Broader Discussion
The reflections from the current Amedspor manager arrive alongside ongoing debates regarding the future direction of the club. Discussions in local media, including the program Tijd voor Voetbal, have recently centered on the comparative performances of KAA Gent and Club Brugge, as well as the strategic recruitment needs of the Anderlecht squad, which continues to navigate a challenging landscape in the Belgian Pro League.
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