“That is an item where the outside world knows absolutely nothing about,” KV Mechelen coach Fred Vanderbiest said regarding his relationship with striker Benito Raman, as reported by Voetbalkrant.com.
KV Mechelen secured its first victory of the Jupiler Pro League season on the eighth matchday, defeating Sint-Truidense VV 4–3 in a high-scoring encounter played on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The result lifted the club off the bottom of the table and provided immediate relief for Vanderbiest, whose side had endured a ten-match winless run against the Kanaries stretching back across previous fixtures, VoetbalNieuws.be reported.
Vanderbiest and Raman Address Tension Rumors
Ahead of the fixture against STVV, former Anderlecht and Standard Liège forward Patrick Goots publicly asserted that KV Mechelen desperately needed Raman and that Vanderbiest was forced to smooth over divisions within the squad. Those remarks followed weeks of speculation regarding Raman’s limited playing time and visible frustration as a substitute. Both Vanderbiest and Raman flatly rejected the narrative of a falling-out. “Everyone thinks that we cannot get through the same door because Benito was not playing,” Vanderbiest told reporters, emphasizing that friction between them has been non-existent.
Colorful Language and Mutual Directness
Rather than managing a fractured relationship, Vanderbiest described an exceptionally frank dynamic built on street-level directness. “I am very clear in my communication with every player, and with Benito it is a bit special,” Vanderbiest said. “He calls me a shit trainer, I call him a shit striker.” According to the coach, those insults bounce off immediately because both players understand the expectations. VoetbalNieuws.be noted that the 31-year-old forward had struggled with his reduced role earlier in the campaign, making his return to the starting lineup and subsequent goal contributions a notable tactical shift.
Pure Friendship and Special Locker Room Characters
Following the final whistle, television cameras captured an embrace between the coach and the match-winner. Vanderbiest insisted the gesture reflected genuine camaraderie. “That is simply pure friendship,” he said. “We are open and honest with each other.”
Raman Embraces Match-Winning Role
Raman, who celebrated the victory by embracing both his coach and multiple teammates in the dugout, echoed his manager’s assessment of their partnership. “That is something Fred and I do more often,” Raman said. Having spent considerable time on the bench, the veteran forward emphasized his commitment to supporting younger squad members through difficult periods. “The young guys support me very hard and I support them too. Then it is also nice for them that I pull through and they are satisfied. I know very well what it is like to sit on the bench and not play, so I can pass on my experience because I know that sort of thing does not last.”
KV Mechelen will return to league action following the international break as the club looks to build upon its first three points of the 2026–27 campaign.
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