OTHER Anderlecht has fired head coach David Hubert due to disappointing performances. Besnik Hasi, who recently left KV Mechelen and was about to go to Cercle Brugge, will take the helm. Hasi is an old friend at Anderlecht, where he was previously player, assistant and champions coach in 2014.
Hubert was appointed in the fall of 2024 after the dismissal of Brian Riemer and started well, but things went downhill since Christmas. Despite placing for the cup final, the board felt a new trainer change was necessary.
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Continue reading Anderlecht is currently fourth in the standings, with exactly the same number of points as Brugge last year after the regular competition, by the way. Club also fired its coach then and became champions after all. Anderlecht is now taking the same action.
Hubert started well after Riemer's departure and soon recorded some resounding victories. But disappointments quickly followed after that. Purple and White seemed to be on course for a top eight spot in the Europa League, but handsomely gave it away in the last two playing days. It was then eliminated by Fenerbahçe.
The level of form also stagnated in the league. Anderlecht played without inspiration, lost many duels and seemed to have trouble against teams that did show enthusiasm. A recent loss against Westerlo was telling. But the 3-0 victory against Cercle could have looked different had the Association been a bit more efficient. Statistically, Hubert would get even a lower winning percentage than Riemer. Despite the many injuries affecting the core, his position was no longer tenable, the club's management judged.
Besnik Hasi then, they must have thought. Hasi is no stranger to the club and experienced his heyday of his career there. Due to his dismissal from Mechelen, purple-white had the chance to appoint him easily.
In any case, Hasi is known to push his team. Possibly he will succeed in getting purple-white to shift up a gear? The coach will have until the end of the season to prove himself, as his contract will expire then. There is an option for an additional year.
