OH Leuven Belgian Pro League 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Another underwhelming season for OH Leuven last season saw Oscar Garcia and Chris Coleman eventually lose their jobs. In comes former Anderlecht head coach David Hubert, whose brief stint as interim and then head coach of the Mauves has earned him a chance at OH Leuven. The side, despite fantastic off the pitch infrastructure and a decent budget, have not shown much quality and ambition in recent years. The inexperienced Hubert needs to rectify that, although how much he can do without a proper goal scorer is questionable.

Transfers in: Abdoul Kari Traore (Bourg en Bresse Peronnas), Bryang Kayo (VFL Osnabruck), Casper Terho (Union St Gilloise), Takuma Ominami (Kawasaki)

Transfers out: Emmanuel Toku (free), Frederico Ricca (Belgrano), Jonatan Braut Brunes (Rakow), Ezechiel Banzuzi (RB Leipzig)

Key player: Siebe Schrijvers

Club captain Schrijvers had his best season since 2018/2019 last year. The 29-year-old grabbed eight goals and four assists for OH Leuven, finishing as the sides top scorer. Given that the club have struggled to score, any goals coming from midfielders is crucial. Schrijvers is a quality midfielder for the level OH Leuven are at, and another big season from the former Club Brugge man will be crucial.

Young player to watch: Roggerio Nyakossi

With the experienced Frederico Ricca gone, there is an opening at the back that could be taken by Nyakossi. The 21-year-old Swiss showed glimpses of what he could offer at the back end of last season. The former Marseille youngster could emerge as a decent signing for OH Leuven, of which there have not been many in recent seasons.

Transfer window needs:

OH Leuven really need to make the right signings this season. For too long the side have invested poorly and not been able to build a squad capable of getting the club where it really should be, which is a strong mid table team that can push the top six. A striker is key, as well as improvements at the back. Centrally, the side look strong, and in goal Tobe Leysen is a good option. Elsewhere, players need to either step up or be replaced.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson