Wednesday morning, B-field behind the Cegeka Arena. The Genk A-team dances, coos and flies during an almost two-hour training. Coach Wouter Vrancken looks on with amusement and finishes as referee during a penalty shootout.
Vrancken led the training on Wednesday, his last. — © Dick Demey
For those who are not aware of what is happening behind the scenes, there is no problem. However, appearances are deceiving, the divorce between KRC Genk and Wouter Vrancken has been in effect for almost a day. And as in everyday life, it also applies in top football: the more passionate the love, the more intense the farewell. One that fortunately came immediately, the relationship had now soured so much that continuing for a few more weeks would have been hypocritical and above all counterproductive. Especially with a possible match against AA Gent, Vrancken’s next club, in prospect.
Stories and rumors
‘Where did they go wrong?’ Joost (Zweegers) should know. It seemed like a match made in heaven, the marriage between Genk and his ex-player. Who let a refreshing wind blow through the Cegeka Arena from day one. A positive story, with attractive football and results. After just a few months, the marriage seemed to be set in stone in a new four-year contract, which would provide the hoped-for security with a substantial mutual termination compensation on both sides.
After just a few months, the marriage seemed to be set in stone in a new four-year contract, which would provide the hoped-for security with a substantial mutual termination compensation on both sides. — © Dick Demey
Did the missed title in the final minute cause a first scratch? Indirectly certainly. It implied an early start to the new season, with a disappointing European campaign, which dealt some serious blows early on and off the field.
But there is more to it than just disappointing results. At a certain point, mutual trust was completely lost. It led to conflicting rumors and stories, some of which an outsider thinks is his own. To each his truth. But the question still arises: what exactly made the gap so wide that the relationship completely soured?
Print of sporty model
Whatever the case may be: KRC Genk must look for its twelfth trainer in ten years. With just under two seasons, Wouter Vrancken is the coach with the longest track record in this decade. It is something that Genk’s policymakers have been concerned about for some time, but perhaps it is inherent to the pressure they impose on themselves.
Vrancken came to say goodbye to the Genk playing group on Thursday morning. — © Sven Dillen
A Genk supporter is proud of his club because it continues to nestle among the Belgian top, without having to rely on an external – let alone foreign – lender. It is great that something like this can be achieved in a remote corner of the country, where it is not obvious to attract major national sponsors. The budget must be created through sporting policy, which has an enormous impact on that policy. Top talents must either be trained themselves or be recruited at a very young age to provide oxygen for the sporting activities when they leave.
A beautiful model that, thanks to a lot of acquired expertise, has put the club in the spotlight for years as one of the largest launch platforms in Europe. And also achieved sporting success with four national titles and five cups in 25 years. In Belgium, only Club Brugge and Anderlecht do better.
Realism and ambition
But the reality is that not every young player meets the high expectations (as quickly). That risk is always greater with someone who still has to evolve and has never played for marbles. You have to be realistic enough to take that into account. And adjust your expectations accordingly. Especially because there are four or five clubs that have a larger budget. In such a competition, after finishing second, you can also end up sixth or seventh. Realism is not the same as a lack of ambition. You must dare to aim high but make the right evaluation if the goals are not achieved.
If you underestimate the difference between the potential that players have and their current returns, the gap between expectations and performance grows and creates a perfect breeding ground for internal conflicts. Because the cause must be sought somewhere if expectations are not met.