Verschueren: "Selling Saelemaekers was not a must"

INTERVIEWS In the margin of Anderlecht - Mouscron, Michael Verschueren talked about the past transfer period. The manager did what he was told to do. But is that enough to convince his new boss Karel Van Eetvelt?


Verschueren found a solution for players in surplus such as Didillon, Chipciu and Musona. Ten players left in total. Only Saief and Trebel did not get away. "Trebel agreed to sell him, but his injury made it difficult," says Verschueren.

The manager was also told to raise ten million euros. The transfer of Saelemaekers was responsible for the majority of this. "It was not necessary to sell him," says Verschueren. "But when a big club like AC Milan comes knocking on the door, it's hard for a player to say no. That we were selling a youth player? That's okay. There are others ready."

Incoming, Murillo proves that he is a reinforcement. His former teammate Lawrence is probably even better. Pjaca and Joveljic, on the other hand, are doubtful: Anderlecht are hiring them and both did not play for a long time. "We have an option for Pjaca to keep him one year longer. So he might also be with us next season. At Joveljic, Frankfurt did not want to allow us an option to purchase," said Verschueren.

Conclusion: raise money, lose some players, strengthen the team with few resources: Verschueren did all three. Is that enough to convince future CEO Karel Van Eetvelt? "He will decide, but we have a good relationship," says Verschueren. "The most important thing is that we grab points. We are ninth, we need them."