Management is disappointed: after a rapid elimination in the Belgian Cup And in Conference League, the championship will not save the season. Who is responsible ? A little bit of everyone, as always in case of failure. But the one who scored the fewest points is called Wouter Vrancken. In what should have been the season of confirmation after last year's fine second place (and the classic phase won), the coach rather showed his limits.
If his tactical skills are not in question, it is his human management which has come up against the test at the high level. He failed to unite a locker room which includes twelve different nationalities. He struggled to adapt to the mentality of foreign players, sometimes having difficulty hiding his anger or frustration. Which did not create the osmosis hoped for by ambitious leaders, 45 million spent since the 2022 summer transfer window oblige.
Is he in line with ambitious Belgian coaches like Clement and Kompany? For now, the answer is no.
After shining in Mechelen (promotion and Belgian Cup), Vrancken went to Genk to answer a question: was he in line with the new Belgian generation of ambitious coaches, like Philippe Clement and Vincent Kompany? For now, the answer is no. It is too early to definitively place him in the category of “good little Pro League coaches” but the Limburger will have to evolve if he wants to take a step forward in a 100% Belgian career so far (as a player then a coach). At 45, it's not too late but it's time.
But where can he try to continue his progress to one day aim for a major foreign championship? In Genk? Under contract until 2026 after having extended in November 2022 (with a nice salary increase at stake), Vrancken seems to have left to simply continue his job in Limburg. But management is starting to ask questions. Does he suit the club's philosophy, an alloy of high-potential foreign talents and kids trained at the club? Can he advance the Bonsu Baah promises and Karetsas next season? He will have to quickly provide positive answers because his credit is damaged.
