Football Season Guide

After 2 years in the Second Tier Zulte Waregem returned to the top flight as Division One champions. It was tough battle all the way. The top 3 teams ended up split by just 2 points, with Zulte level on points with La Louvière and edging them only based on their head-to-head stats. 36-year-old captain Jelle Vossen was the big star. He became top goalscorer of Division One with his 15 goals. His rich top flight experience should see him remain a key figure despite his age. Sven Vandenbroeck achieved this success in his first year in charge of Zulte. He is now set to enter uncharted waters on personal level. Vandenbroeck has never coached at top flight level so some are concerned his tactics and approach might be too naive. The heart of the midfield was gutted this summer. Experienced Rommens and the big star in that area Diop were both sold. Young Thomas Claes has arrived and he could be in line for his first-ever job as a regular starter. Claes is a promising prospect but he is injury-prone, this without ever feeling the demand on the body of starting regularly. Young striker Tobias Hedl was loaned in to learn from captain Vossen. The former should still be used as a lone striker, but Hedl can start some games too as the veteran will need to rest. Zulte had only the fifth best defensive record in Division One last season. None of the regulars has left so this is good. However, no major new reinforcements have been added at the back either and this could spell trouble if the efficiency declines dramatically now the opponents are much stronger.