KlaaZ

Just a bit of clarification on all of the above: We weren't a lower division club for the whole of our history, but we're currently on our longest stay in the first division (four years compared to three last time around). On the other hand, we've never done better than a 10th place under King Power, which is at best an ex aequo with the best 1A position we had before they took over. Considering the amounts invested by KP, return on investment has been quite unspectacular and disappointing to be honest. That doesn't make it all bad but in the end, judgement is done by results on the pitch. In regards to having to replace good players leaving each year: While that is true, some other teams (cfr. Union, same owner as Brighton) have lost their manager and pretty much 80% of their starting eleven for three years in a row and every year, they manage to finish in the top three. PS: Mercier was forced out of the club by the previous manager, on the grounds of being 'too dominant' in the dressing room and on the pitch. PPS: We actually got promoted to the first division under KP through an anomaly with covid hitting and the playoff finals being cancelled, which led the BFA to allow both clubs to go up. We then later had to play that final anyway and lost it deservedly to Beerschot.

Double leg fracture, don't think he'll play this season.

Verstraete official now, solid signing and a type of player we definitely missed last season. The kind of guy who picks up a relatively large amount of yellows but a very good six with an excellent shot from distance as well. In regards to some of the others: Omgba: Fizzled out, probably because NAC gained promotion to the Eredivisie. Brunes, Kiyine and Miguel not included in the training camp so all being forced out. There's a bid from Venezia for Sagrado but not accepted yet afaik, 2.5M + bonuses + percentage on future sale. Misao could possibly go back to Japan.

Correct

How about the fact that we owe you absolutely nothing? Go patronize someone else.

Haha, it was the number one fear among our fans the moment the Maresca to Chelsea rumour started. I agree that I don't think it's going to be him, by the way, lucky for us and unlucky for you because he's someone who can overperform with a limited squad. Very good at nullifying opposition attacking threat and flexible in his approach.

Odd, in my opinion, but it is what it is. Either way, Garcia would be a perfect fit for what you guys need, and that's coming from someone who is absolutely praying he stays at Leuven.

Not really sure what everyone's problem with Garcia is here, but I can tell you that he's tactically probably the best manager I've ever seen at OHL. On top of that, it's been twice now that he took a team from a clear relegation spot to safety (OHL and Celta). Vastly underrated, but if you don't want him I'd be very happy to keep him in Leuven. Also, as an outsider, I feel like you guys are a bit ridiculous in what you expect, and the negativity is quite astonishing.

It's a solid choice as well. Worked with our new CEO at Beerschot in second division where they put together a title winning team with basically no money.

To be fair, if I worked as a recruitment analyst at two clubs in the past three years, and both of them were relegated, I'd question the quality of my work. That said, Dwomoh has great potential but it's time for him to start performing. And he's nowhere near Premier League level at this point.

He's been a starter in every qualifying game for Belgium..

That's because we're not your B team. You can send them all you want, if they're not good enough they won't play.

Considering the last two teams in Belgium he went out on loan to got relegated that same year, I think it's going to be a hard pass from us, thanks.

Not just from Antwerp, Genk (his previous club) as well. He left Genk because they felt he wanted too much too fast and wasn't ready. He then moved to Antwerp, where he obviously also didn't succeed. Was loaned to Oostende (relegated), then RWDM (also relegated), failing to make a meaningful impact at both clubs. The type of player with an abundance of talent but without the right mindset, who will probably never fulfill his potential because of the latter. Antwerp is not a small club, they were Belgian champions last season. Dwomoh is extremely talented but has so far failed to live up to that expectation at every club he played for. Not saying your 3M is going to be a waste of money, but it's a fairly big risk for someone who has had a pattern of mentality issues throughout his early career already.

He's not. Leysen has the potential to go very, very far. Made two or three grave errors (always on crosses, his biggest working point), but already an amaing shot stopper, insane reflexes and very good on the ball with both left and right. Comes from the same academy as Thibaut Courtois, Koen Casteels and more recently Maarten Vandevoordt who will RB Leipzig next season. Schingtienne at the back has also made some impressive progress. Something between a full back and a central defender, he excels on the right in a three man defense where he can move up with the ball. The same goes for Banzuzi, 19-year old Dutchman in midfield, who's start was rather difficult but he's really blossoming under Garcia. Another one to watch. To expand on the above, Maziz has done very well stats wise but he's very erratic in his performances, which is why I wouldn't rate him as top. It's a mentality issue with him, as he's quite clearly a very, very, very good football player. The same can be said for Thorsteinsson by the way. Both players who sometimes have it a little too easy, which results in them slacking off. I'm praying for it. Jacobs was part of the problem, and Csepregi is a potentially very good replacement. He set up the team that won the second division with basically no budget, together with our new CEO (which adds another link to him).

Update: Confirmed, double leg fracture. Will undergo surgery today.

1-1 yesterday, efficiency remains an issue as we had by far the better chances but only netted once, with Westel scoring their first attempt on a corner. Most important thing for you guys, probably, is that Opoku came on as a sub and probably broke his leg after a collision with the opposing goalie.

Those last 2-3 minutes were downright insane.

Absolute scenes, with two minutes of stoppage time it was Nsingi scoring with 92:01 on the clock after Mechelen refused to counter us into defeat three times in a row. Never seen anything like this in my life, reminded me of that Watford game against you guys where Deeney scored after Knockaert missed that penalty kick.

Another case of what could have been. Excellent first half in Bruges, went ahead deservedly and then Leysen fumbled an easy cross, pushing it into his own net. Conceded another from a free kick and then Leysen fumbled a corner again, with Brugge scoring again in the scrimmage.

Ridiculous wage bill mostly, invested heavily for last year's title dream. Covered by their owner, obviously, but as he's currently having issues with cash flow, they're forced to sell. Hence Vermeeren's transfer to Atlético, for one. Champions League income should also cover a big part of the losses for this year. We've been for a while, we were actually in second last a few months ago, five points from the safe spot where we are now. Not out of the woods yet, but I still believe we can/will avoid the bottom four. FWIW, bottom four is not a death sentence yet, these teams still play a playdown mini competition where they keep their points from the regular season and battle each other (so six extra games basically). Bottom two go down directly, 14th plays two games against the team that wins the playoffs in second division, winner of the playdowns stays up.

Another missed opportunity. Always should have won today, 45 minutes against ten men, but it's hard to find the back of the net somehow.

I don't think any Belgian clubs can balance the books without selling players for a profit. That doesn't mean you have to sell every decent player you have the moment a bigger club comes sniffing. He hasn't been here for a year yet, and if we stay up, his value is only going to increase. On top of that, he has a contract until the summer of 2027.

Unlikely, unless we actually go down. He's quite the levelheaded lad, I think he knows he's better off staying another season before moving up the ladder. Or at least that's what I'm hoping!

Not sure about the amounts, but only two clubs turned a profit without external intervention last year.