Former professional footballer Jorgo Basiakos has ended a nearly ten-year absence from the sport to become the new head coach of Belgian provincial side Turkse Rangers, after spotting a vacant managerial posting online.
An Online Advertisement Sparked the Return
Basiakos, 51, stepped away from active involvement in football nearly ten seasons ago. His return to the touchline came about after he read local media reports detailing that five different managerial candidates had declined offers to take charge of Turkse Rangers. The report prompted Basiakos to reevaluate his status in the game. Holding a UEFA A coaching license alongside a sports psychology certification from his playing days, he submitted his candidacy to the Genk-based first provincial club.
The transition proved swift. Basiakos took his place on the bench for the first time in almost a decade on a Saturday afternoon, guiding Turkse Rangers to a 0-1 away victory on the artificial pitch of FC Landen.
A Gritty Debut Victory in Landen
Despite securing a winning start in his managerial debut, Basiakos remained cautious about the broader trajectory of his squad. The decisive 0-1 scoreline in Landen relied heavily on defensive resilience and late-match fortune. Basiakos noted that while the technical talent of the roster is visible when controlling the ball, the team still struggles to cover necessary ground and maintain defensive structure during turnovers. Implementing his preferred pressing style requires a structured training period, leaving the squad essentially in a prolonged pre-season phase despite the league already reaching its seventh matchday.
A Long Career Across Belgian Divisions
Before his decade-long break from the sport, Basiakos built a lengthy career in the upper tiers of Belgian football. A Maaslander of Greek descent, he featured prominently in the second division before achieving promotion to the first division with Heusden-Zolder under manager Peter Balette, playing alongside teammates such as Eric Matoukou and Dimitri de Condé. Following the Bosman ruling, he moved from Patro to Tilleur Luik to support former Red Devil Alex Czerniatynski. His playing career also included stints with Patro, Bocholt, and SK Tongeren, interspersed with brief coaching spells at Schoonbeek, as well as Dutch clubs EHC and VV Sittard.
