Football Season Guide

Club Brugge continued their domination in the domestic scene last season as they made it five titles in the last seven seasons after that late push to finish just above Union Saint Gilloise, having been 12 points off the top spot in February. The title was a testament to both the great winning mentality and experience in the squad and the ability of Alfred Schreuder to mould a team on the fly that developed into a winning machine after a few early stumbles. However, the Dutchman's stays with Brugge proved short-lived as he announced immediately after winning the title that he is heading back to former club Ajax to replace Erik ten Hag. Now Carl Hoefkens, who was assistant to both Philippe Clement and Schreuder, assumes the role of a first-team manager and it does feel like this will be a transition season for the defending champions. They look set to cash in on their two most prized assets in Noa Lang and Charles De Ketelaere, even if no move has materialised yet, and it will take a while for their impact and goals to be replaced. Cyle Larin is expected to be the new main striker and he should bag a few goals at this level but the other new signings hardly seem like nailed-on starters, On the other hand, players like Andreas Skov Olsen and Tajon Buchanan are expected to be even more integral in the first-team squad after joining in the winter and having good impact. Thus, Brugge still look like a really strong contender but they are set to face really stiff competition from Gent and Anderlecht this season and may not find the route to the title that simple.