Football Season Guide

Tough last season but avoided the bottom 4. Spent 26 of the 30 rounds during the regular season in the bottom 4. However, wins in the final 2 rounds before the play-offs saw them move to Play-off II. Dead last, full 8 points behind the nearest team above, in Play-off II, but the motivation during these late games was missing. Many teenagers got a chance to shine in April-May. Seasoned coach Mazzu was released near the end of the campaign. Replaced by the seasoned coach Simons. He took last year off, his last job was at Westerlo in 2024/25. Simons preaches lots of wide attacks and plenty of overlapping runs. Focusing on the flanks could benefit Leuven. There are multiple fast players out wide. Gil, Teklab and Verlinden particularly suited to play on the overlap. Captain Schrijvers and the returning on a permanent deal Lakomy should remain the main backbone of the midfield. Useful Japanese Okinami and Akimoto left but striker Yamada was loaned in and he should play a lot in attack. Unable to find a reliable striker in any of the last two seasons so the hope is Yamada can fill this void this term. There are still plenty of weaknesses in the squad, particularly in defence and at the top of the attack. Simons will need his regulars to avoid major injuries too. The depth of the squad is not great.