Royal Antwerp FC chief executive Sven Jaecques has revealed that his working relationship with former owner Paul Gheysens collapsed under intense financial and personal strain before the club’s ownership change. In an extensive interview published by Het Laatste Nieuws, Jaecques admitted that he spent his final two years under Gheysens operating in a permanent survival mode, culminating in a midday automobile accident that forced him to reevaluate his health and professional future.
The leadership crisis at the Bosuil stadium unfolded as Royal Antwerp FC transitioned to a new consortium of investors led by Wouter Vandenhaute, alongside former Anderlecht officials and club figures. While Jaecques agreed to remain at his post as CEO, the departure of the Gheysens family marked the close of a volatile era defined by soaring sporting highs—including a historic league title and cup victory—followed by crushing financial bottlenecks.
Financial Realities and the Cost of Infrastructure
Optimism initially surged through the club following major player sales, including the high-profile transfers of goalkeeper Senne Lammens to Manchester United for a reported 21 million euros and midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia to Al-Ittihad for approximately 19 million euros. Jaecques and former sports director Marc Overmars anticipated that these windfalls would clear lingering debt, fund cautious investments, and kickstart a planned new stadium tribune.
The financial ledger told a different story.
As mounting expenditures outpaced incoming revenues, Jaecques stated that neither the club nor his own physical well-being could sustain the mounting pressure.
Clashing Priorities and the Pain of Letting Go
The tension between operational survival and ownership demands eventually pushed Jaecques and Gheysens onto opposing sides. When asked whether Gheysens routinely clawed back transfer revenues to cover his private investments or external financial liabilities, Jaecques stopped short of full agreement, telling Het Laatste Nieuws that such an assessment oversimplifies a complex dynamic. He maintained that his loyalties rested entirely with the institution itself.
“My only interest is Royal Antwerp FC. I stand for this club.”
Because Antwerp became a personal passion project for the former owner, Jaecques acknowledged that parting with the club caused profound personal anguish.
That pain was compounded by the retention of key executive figures. Jaecques noted that the continued presence of board members alongside incoming investor Vandenhaute likely intensified the emotional blow for the former benefactor, adding that he understood why the transition hurt so deeply.
Jaecques Hopes Time Will Heal Rift with Gheysens
Communication between the executive and the former owner has stalled in the weeks following the takeover. Jaecques confirmed sending a personal message to Gheysens that went unanswered, though he emphasized that no reply was necessary given the emotional weight of the split.
Despite the cooling of relations and the divergence of their business interests, Jaecques expressed confidence that time will heal the rift. He suggested that once the dust settles from the boardroom upheaval, the two men will eventually sit down together for a drink to clear the air.
Royal Antwerp FC now prepares for its upcoming fixture schedule under the new administrative structure, with management focused on stabilizing club finances and supporting the coaching staff through the remainder of the domestic campaign.
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