Vertonghen Looks Back on a Difficult Start at Anderlecht
WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2026, 08:51 - emjomi
INTERVIEWS More than a year after retiring from professional soccer, Jan Vertonghen is no longer in the spotlight. The former Anderlecht captain now focuses on his family, his studies, and the Jan Vertonghen Foundation. Yet, in an exclusive interview, he also looks back on his time with the Purple & White, which he says got off to a much tougher start than the outside world realized.
Although Vertonghen was welcomed at Anderlecht as a top-tier signing, his first few months in Brussels were anything but carefree. It wasn't the club itself that caused that difficult period, but rather the circumstances under which he had to leave Benfica.
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Continue reading The record-holding international explains that he wasn't told until the very last day of the transfer window that he no longer had a future in Lisbon. That news came as a surprise, especially since his family had built a stable life there. As a result, the move to Anderlecht happened in a rush.
According to Vertonghen, the impact on his wife and children weighed particularly heavily on him. They were happy in Portugal and suddenly had to say goodbye to their familiar surroundings. That made the decision to return to Belgium particularly emotional.
The defender recalls how he even postponed his medical exams for Anderlecht by a day so he could first tell his children—who were at surf camp—the news in person. Looking back, he describes those first few weeks with the Purple & White as the most difficult of his entire career.
It wasn't until after the 2022 World Cup that he finally found peace of mind again. By then, he realized that his family had adjusted to life in Belgium and that his wife had quickly found a new job. From that moment on, he was able to focus entirely on soccer.
Despite the difficult start, Vertonghen looks back on his time at Anderlecht with great appreciation. He felt a strong connection to the club and spoke of a great sense of responsibility toward the board, the fans, and his teammates. That's precisely why he found it particularly frustrating that injuries prevented him from showing his full potential for the club.
Today, his focus lies elsewhere. Vertonghen is working on his UEFA coaching certification, investing a lot of time in his Foundation, and enjoying life with his family to the fullest. However, he does not rule out a return to soccer. The former Red Devil sees himself taking on a behind-the-scenes role in the future, though he first wants to complete his training and further expand his social projects.
