15
Nicky Hayen was sacked by Club Brugge on Monday — just two days before their crucial Champions League match against Arsenal.
- His dismissal came after a league defeat to Sint‑Truiden, which dropped Brugge to third place in the Belgian league.
- He was immediately replaced by Ivan Leko — a former Brugge coach — who left his previous club with little public warning.
Players’ Reaction: Surprise and Confusion
- Club Brugge captain Hans Vanaken admitted the squad was taken completely by surprise by the decision. He said the players only found out after Monday’s training session.
- Vanaken expressed that none of the players saw it coming and suggested they believed the team had potential to improve under Hayen.
- When asked whether the board and players were on the same page, Vanaken hesitated — indicating a possible disconnect between management’s decision and the dressing-room’s view.
What This Means for Brugge
- The managerial shake-up comes at a particularly precarious moment: Brugge currently sits outside the qualifying spots in their Champions League group. They must now face Arsenal under new leadership — a high-pressure environment for Leko’s return.
- The abrupt change risks destabilising the squad — especially mentally — given players were not given notice and may still be adjusting to the shock. The timing and manner of the firing have led to visible unrest.
- It remains to be seen whether Leko’s appointment will galvanise a turnaround or further unsettle a side already struggling domestically and in Europe.
