Club Brugge sack Nicky Hayen and bring Ivan Leko back for a second spell in charge | OneFootball

Club Brugge have sacked Nicky Hayen after the side lost 3-2 to Sint Truiden this weekend. In his place, they have brought in a familiar face in Ivan Leko. The Croatian had been in charge at Gent but now leaves the club he joined in the summer to return to Club Brugge.

Hayen won the league as caretaker boss and the domestic cup in his first full season in charge. However, they have struggled for consistency this season and despite some positive results in the Champions League against Barcelona and Monaco, the domestic performances have not been at the level expected by Club Brugge. Recent defeats for Club Brugge in the league to Antwerp and Sint Truiden, as well as Anderlecht, seem to have concerned the board enough to make a change. Hayen may feel slightly unlucky with seeing a few key players like Ardon Jashari leave Club Brugge in the summer.

Leko hasn’t exactly been pulling up many trees at Gent this season. So far, under Leko, Gent have won eight, drawn five and lost six. The season prior Leko was at Standard Liege, where he worked under tough conditions to make the team more competitive than many expected. During his previous spell with Club Brugge as a manager, Leko won the title in 2017/2018 and the Super Cup the following season. Leko also spent time playing for Club Brugge, winning the cup in 2006/2007.

Club Brugge are chasing a 20th title in the Pro League this season and look set to compete with Union St Gilloise for the trophy this year.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson