Belgian champions Club Brugge KV have dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen and reinstated former manager Ivan Leko, just two days before their UEFA Champions League home fixture against Arsenal FC.
Hayen’s removal comes on the back of a troubling run of form in the league, where Brugge have suffered three defeats in four matches, including Saturday’s 3–2 loss to Sint-Truiden VV. The slump has pushed the club down to third place—five points behind leaders Union Saint-Gilloise and one point adrift of Sint-Truiden.
Their struggles extend to Europe as well. Brugge have managed just four points from five Champions League matches, with their only victory being a commanding 4–1 win over AS Monaco FC in September, leaving them 26th in the overall competition ranking.
Hayen, who spent 18 months in charge and guided the club to the league title last season, has now made way for Leko—currently managing KAA Gent before the appointment.
Leko, 47, earned 13 caps for Croatia national football team during his playing career and made 98 appearances for Club Brugge, winning the Belgian Cup. His previous managerial stint at the club was also successful, culminating in a league title in the 2017–18 season.
