“We were not satisfied”
“Why did we change conductors? Well, because we weren’t satisfied.” Bart Verhaeghe was straight to the point when discussing the dismissal of his former coach to those present at this dinner. “We are a top team and we are only third, with far too few points. I think we should have had a lot more. And it is not due to the quality of the squad. Against Barcelona, Glasgow Rangers or Salzburg, we showed that we are capable of it.”
“Not our club”, “Shame on you”: Club Brugge supporters show their dissatisfaction after the departure of Nicky Hayen
Clearly, the boss of Blauw en Zwart blames the disappointing results on the one who allowed the Club to be champion upon taking office. But it’s not just that. “We had too many lows and too many games where the players didn’t show their potential. It comes down to the motivation, the intensity, the story you tell. This team no longer resembled our slogan: ‘No Sweat, No Glory’. That flame was gone.”
Delighted with the return of a child from home
During this exchange, he did not scratch his former protégé. Even if he also wanted to remember the past. “On a human level, it hasn’t been pleasant. Nicky Hayen has been a very good coach for us. But he can also be grateful to us for launching his career. He is, in fact. Without us, he would never have been able to get to where he is today.”
The president of La Gantoise attacks Club Bruges: “The words ‘ethics’ and ‘respect’ have another definition in my dictionary”
The Nicky Hayen page finished, Verhaeghe then discussed the future with Ivan Leko. “We are very happy to bring back someone who was trained here. A man who has this passion, this state of mind in him. And he wants to play the football that we love. A dominant and high game on the pitch to lock the opponent in his camp.
For him, the squad was designed to evolve in this pattern. “We haven’t seen enough of him. We have to give the coach time. There are still four games, then we will leave for training in Spain.”
Earthquake in Pro League: Nicky Hayen sacked from Club Brugge, Ivan Leko replaces him
With the same group? “We will also strengthen ourselves. After the New Year, you will see a completely different Club Brugge. Be sure of that.”
Club Brugge’s opponents have been warned.
