Sibierski spoke with the Fan Council: read the report here
SATURDAY, 23 MAY 2026, 15:21 - lajoya
OTHER The Fan Council, Anderlecht's supporters' council, recently met with the club's sporting leadership. New sporting director Antoine Sibierski set out his plans. “The central message was clear: the club must be rebuilt on mentality, responsibility, discipline and a true winners' culture,” the report said. Below is the full account published by the Fan Council in their Facebook group.
The new sporting leadership at Anderlecht used an expanded Fan Council meeting (including representatives from supporter groups) to explain its vision for the club's future. The central message was unambiguous: the club must be rebuilt on mentality, responsibility, discipline and a genuine winners' culture.
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Continue reading They want to start with a fresh page. It is important to note that the club has already made changes in four crucial positions: chairman, CEO, sporting director and head of scouting. The scouting department has also been completely renewed. According to the new leadership, the past years lacked balance, maturity and leadership within the squad. Young players were often given too much responsibility too soon; Sibierski believes many were still too inexperienced to carry the team. Youth will remain a pillar of the club's vision, but young players must earn their place and develop step by step.
To bring stability and leadership on and off the pitch, the club wants to recruit more experienced players, particularly in key positions such as central defence. They mentioned several potential transfers and identified four priority positions they want to act on quickly in the transfer window. Sibierski repeatedly stressed that he is looking for players with a strong mentality: players who run, fight, defend and take responsibility. Mistakes are acceptable, he said, but never a lack of effort or nonchalance. He wants a squad that understands what it means to play for Anderlecht and recognises how much supporters invest — emotionally and financially — in the club. A key point in his vision is that players will no longer be judged solely on technical ability. In scouting and transfers the club will put much greater weight on personality, discipline and work ethic. An attacking player, for example, must also contribute defensively and be prepared to make big efforts off the ball. Sibierski indicated that human qualities may even outweigh pure footballing talent: if a player does not have the right attitude, he does not want to sign him, regardless of ability.
The new leadership also believes many players can perform better in an improved environment. They argued that some players have underachieved in recent years due to a lack of guidance, structure and a clear culture within the club. With better coaching, daily supervision and a more professional working environment, they expect several players to develop again. During the meeting the Fan Council voiced considerable frustration and distrust. They pointed out that the club has for years talked about “a new project”, “a different mentality” and “a fresh start”, while results repeatedly disappointed. They demanded concrete answers on what will actually change: training methods, management, culture and measurable goals.
The sporting leadership acknowledged that criticism and admitted that trust can only be restored through sustained results. They said changes will be most visible in day-to-day operations: more discipline, clearer processes, stronger guidance and a different mentality within the group. Sibierski said he personally struggles with losing and wants to reinstall that winners' mentality throughout the club. Club culture was another major topic.
Sibierski argued that Anderlecht remains a prestigious club that players should want to join because of its history and stature, not merely for money or contracts. He wants to attract players and staff who truly believe in the project and who value human qualities. For that reason he places great importance on personal conversations with players and agents to assess motivation and character. Finally, the club's ambition remains unchanged.
Transfers are expected to happen quickly; the new leadership will no longer wait for a player to be sold before acting. Anderlecht must be competing at the top again. At the same time they ask for time and patience to build a new culture and structure after the Wouter era. In the coming months supporters should gradually see a team that plays differently, shows more fight and radiates a renewed bond with the club and its fans. Mistakes were made in the past, but everyone in the sporting department is now convinced they have taken the right path.
