OTHER The inevitable has finally happened: Besnik Hasi has been forced to step down. The coach enjoyed a golden November with the club and even came close to first place, but dramatic displays followed. Now a place in Play-off 1 is in jeopardy, and a confidence-drained Anderlecht must face Antwerp in the cup. Edward Still will take over temporarily while a new head coach is sought — although it would not be surprising if Still were simply promoted permanently, as has often happened in recent years...
Besnik Hasi was appointed last year to save the season. David Hubert was shown the door at the end of the regular competition. By bringing in Hasi, the board hoped for a strong play-off run and a cup victory. However, the quality of the squad was vastly overrated; Hasi's team endured a disastrous play-off campaign and lost the cup final.
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Continue reading Consequently, his future was already hanging by a thread during the summer, yet a contract extension was eventually confirmed. Another moment of doubt surfaced following their European elimination. Hasi managed to regain some credit in November with victories against Club Brugge and Union, but that was followed by a dismal run of 5 points out of a possible 21.
Last week, discussions regarding his dismissal had already taken place, but Hasi was granted one final lifeline. He failed to seize it at Standard—quite the opposite. Anderlecht underperformed, creating almost nothing, and coupled that with lackluster defending. It proved to be the final straw: Hasi, who never truly managed to convince, has been let go.
The question now remains whether another coach can achieve better results with the current squad. A major first test looms this Thursday in the cup semi-final against Antwerp.
