Stéphane Demol died at the age of 57

GAMES Former Anderlecht player and Red Devil Stéphane Demol has passed away. After Anderlecht, the stylish defender played for a whole host of clubs including Toulouse, Porto and Standard. Demol will remain in the collective memory because of his memorable header goal at the 1986 World Cup against the USSR.


Stéphane Demol was noticed by Anderlecht at the age of 14. In the 1985-1986 season, he broke through under Arie Haan. In the barrage matches against Club Brugge for the title, Demol made the decisive 2-2 in Brugge, making Anderlecht champions.

National coach Guy Thys had also noticed Demol's talent and so the defender was allowed to join the World Cup in Mexico as a 20-year-old. Demol filled in in the opening match against Mexico, but thereafter he remained a regular pawn in defence. In the legendary eighth final against the USSR, Demol made Belgian sporting history by cleverly heading the 2-3 into goal in the extensions. He was also the youngest player to score at the World Cup.

Everyone predicted Demol would have a great career, but due to somewhat unfortunate decisions and injuries, he was never able to make the most of his career. Demol became a three-time champion at Paarswit, won the cup there and also the Supercup twice. He then left Purple White in 1988 which would become the start of a journey across Europe with numerous clubs. Despite his status as an international, Demol played only one season each for Bologna, Porto and Toulouse respectively. He then returned to Belgium and played one season for Standard and one season for Cercle Brugge. Injuries started to take their toll more and more, however, and Demol then played for five more clubs with Denderleeuw as his last club.

Demol played his 38th and last international game in 1991.

After his career, he became coach of many clubs and also acted as assistant coach of Standard and of the Red Devils under René Vandereycken (2006-2008). In the 2009-2010 season, he was still trainer of Charleroi. In the 2015-2016 season, Hajer Club (Saudi Arabia) was the last club Demol trained.

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