Neerpede will always be home: Lukaku on his sons and RSCA DNA
SATURDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2025, 12:08 - lajoya
OTHER Anderlecht is about to change its club structure, and according to Marc Coucke, Romelu Lukaku (32) could soon take on an advisory role there. He has a special passion for the youth academy, Neerpede, where he grew up and where his sons Romeo (7) and Jordan (4) play nowadays.
The emotional bond between Lukaku and the purple and white is now also visible on the walls of Lotto Park. Supporters have immortalized the young Romelu in Anderlecht shirt, deliberately leaving room for the adult version of the striker to appear later. This fuels the fans' hope for a 'Romback' — whether initially as a player, perhaps later in a permanent role.
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Continue reading Neerpede as a beating heart
For Lukaku The youth academy himself has always been essential. In June, he said: “For me, Neerpede will always be the most important. The feeling of always having to win has to return. You can't lose that DNA. I hope that signing young players doesn't come at the expense of our own talent.”
That involvement has only grown now that he's been spending more time in Belgium recovering from a hamstring injury. He regularly appears at Neerpede, where Romeo is a full-fledged youth player and Jordan is already playing in the Purple Start project.
Coach Silvio Di Mattia remembers how it all began: “Romelu arrived with Romeo when he was only four. There wasn't even an U5 yet, so we let him train with the U6s. He held his own. We're seeing great progress now. Romelu shows a lot of confidence in our work. He himself said he'd never seen such a well-developed project in Italy.”
Although Lukaku prefers to stay under the radar at youth tournaments, that's often impossible. He arrives wearing a cap and sunglasses, but as soon as someone recognizes him, he's surrounded. Nevertheless, he graciously poses for photos and autographs, on the condition that he be left alone during his son's match. Romeo regularly looks to his father for approval on the sidelines—a familiar scene for any young player.
Future role at Anderlecht?
There are rumors circulating that Lukaku dreams of a position as Head of Youth Development. He himself remains tight-lipped, but insiders consider it a logical progression. "Romelu has pure RSCA DNA," says Di Mattia. "He can convince young players to stay instead of leaving too quickly."
Former youth coach Benoit Haegeman is also enthusiastic: "If Romelu wants to play a role at Neerpede, he can help restore its identity." The RSCA DNA has faded since Jean Kindermans' departure. Romelu understands that Anderlecht's strengths have always been technique, possession, and dominant football.
Wait and see
The will and the passion are there, but one major stumbling block remains: the ongoing conflict between Marc Coucke and Wouter Vandenhaute. Until that is resolved, Lukaku has been advised against financial involvement. Rumors of Qatari investors are circulating, but the future remains uncertain.
What is certain: Romelu Lukaku feels more connected to Neerpede than ever, both through his own past and through the development of his sons. And Anderlecht fans are dreaming out loud that their "Big Rom" will one day play a leading role in the purple and white again.
