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Dan
We shouldn't of gone through the cup Shedender as we were absolutely awful! To be fair we got lucky and with our form on a downhill we will be lucky to get the league title.
Would appreciate you catching up Maiden! Welcome back!
So with the Championship Group started and our place booked in the final of the Confidis Cup we could now focus on the title and following our first defeat in our opening game we knew it would be hard. But fortunately for us the group was extremely close and with just a few points separating all six teams it was sure to be anyones, could someone open a gap in April...
We began April at home as we welcomed Standard and we made it two without a win in the Championship Group as we were held to a two all draw. We took the lead through Ghanassy six minutes before the break but almost immediately Standard struck back. Second half we took the lead again, this time Cmovs on off the bench to net. However Standard equalised to claim a draw nine minutes from time.
And it was three without a win as we traveled to Club Brugge. Another woeful performance saw us lose out two one. We were poor from the start and almost immediately fell behind. It was second half when Club Brugge added their second. We pulled back a consolation in the final two minutes through Mokulu but it was to no avail.
We finally picked up our first win in three in the Championship Group as we welcomed Genk. Finally a half decent performance saw us come away with the points. N'Diaye put the fans into raptures as he netted from the spot in the first half before we doubled our lead nine mintues from time in the second half through Mokulu. They netted a late consolation but we secured the win.
Two without defeat as we welcomed Anderlecht. A topsy turvey game could of gone either way however we snatched a point. We fell behind after ten minutes before Ghanassy brought us level moments before the break. And we ended up taking the lead into the break as Bruls netted two minutes later. However we conceded the lead as Anderlecht struck back after the restart and settled for a point.
We ended April with a third game on the bounce without defeat as we picked up all three points against Beerschot. A narrow game saw a narrow victory as we claimed a late one goal win. We were the team to grab that goal as we netted in the ninety fourth minute from a corner. Cmovs the man to nod home a perfect flighted ball.
The Championship Group is in full swing now and with six of the ten games down the table is still very tight. Club Brugge return to the top of the table with forty points and are joined by Beerschot in second who also have forty points and a better goal difference so not sure how that works. We sit third on thirty nine points as do Genk who again have a better goal. difference Standard sit a point behind us and two off the top spot with thirty eight points whilst Anderlech sit bottom on thirty seven.
Shedender
Dan
So here it was, the final month of the league season here in Belgium and it was set to be a busy one for us! The league was so close that one draw could see a team win the league or throw away the title! One win could see the leagues bottom side jump to the top of the table! It seriously was that close. And now in May we faced four league games before the eventual Confidis Cup Final.
We kicked off May with a trip to Standard and saw out a thrilling six goal thriller which ended three all. Ghanassy put us infront after eighteen minutes before we conceded one. However we managed to pull back ahead as Ghanassy netted his second before we were three one up at the break with Bruls finding the net. Despite holding such a comfortable lead at the break we threw it away and ended up with just a point as Standard netted twice.
Our only home game of the month saw us welcome Club Brugge and a second half comeback was required as we went on to steal a narrow three points. We fell behind quickly and come the break were down by two goals and were in trouble. However the second half performance from the team was inspirational. M'Sila brought us back in contention two minutes after the restart before Bruls netted four minutes later to bring us level and a minute later Andrade went up the other end to net our third, three goals in five minutes saw us come back into the lead and win!
We then traveled to Genk in our third game of the final four. And once again it was a poor first half which almost cost us. Second half we were once again in the driving seat after being a goal behind. Bruls brought us level twelve minutes after the restart before Andrade netted two minutes into injury time to keep our title bid on track!
With three of the final four league games played this leaves the Championship Group looking like this. Thirty nine games played and finally we are back on top with a game to go however we are level on points with Anderlecht who sit bottom again with a better goal difference. Beerschot were also still in with a shout of the title as they sat just three points behind us leading two. Oh and guess who the final league game of the season was against...
There it was! The final game of the season went our way as we managed to dismantle Anderlecht at their own home to secure the league title. It was a close affair but we managed to secure it. We took the lead five minutes before the break to stick the knife in as our leading striker Andrade put us infront. And it was that man again, he brilliantly netted his twenty fourth goal of the season in forty four games to secure us the title.
Here is the final league table and as you can see we did it! Forty games down and after a up and down season we eventually come to the climax with us coming out on top. And come the end only six points separated the top six where last season this gap was fifteen points and the season before it was fourteen so it proved to be one of the closest seasons ever. We finish above Anderlecht by three points whilst Standard, Club Brugge, Beerschot and Genk all end on a mind blowing forty three points.
We now end our season with the Confidis Cup final against Standard at the end of May!
Shedender
Dan
Following our phenomenal league win we now turn our attention to the Confidis Cup final where we were about to meet Standard who finished just third in the league. So a close league and now the cup final was sure to be as close. We met at a packed stadium with all fifty thousand fans just as ambitious as each other. Here we were, ready to impress the fans, looking for the double.
What a fantastic final! A nine goal thriller saw us come out on top after one hundred and twenty minutes of end to end football. The cup started slowly and after thirty four minutes we finally had the first goal of the game, and it went Standards way. Berget put them infront from close range before Dumont doubled their lead. We looked back in it when Andrade netted two minutes before the break but a third for Standard coming in injury time saw us trail three one.
Second half started and we conceded a fourth and looked down and out in the fifty sixth minute. However a glimmer of hope was restored when we grabbed an own goal with Andrade's shot bouncing in off Beck. We came back in contention nineteen minutes from time as El Ghanassy's free kick flew over the wall and past the rooted keeper to make it four three. We made the comeback successful just nine minutes from time as Christian Bruls broke free to level the things up and make it four four to send the cup final to extra time.
Going into extra time with confidence and morale behind us we pressed on in search for a winner to try and save us from the luck of penalty shootout. A goalless first half of extra time saw us go into the final fifteen needing a goal but staying defensive so we didn't concede. And then it came...A corner in the one hundredth and twelfth minute saw young eighteen year old defender Bjorn Van Curgten go up and nod it into the back of the net after coming off the bench to secure the win!
And there it was! AA Gent do a fantastic double and we secure the Confidis Cup following an absolute thrilling cup final! This leaves me with just two trophies left to hunt for here. The Super Cup which we will compete in at the start of next season and then the Belgacom League, the second division in Belgium. I will aim for the Super cup this season and then look for an immediate move to a second division side!
PeterGriffin
Dan
What a season we had! With a fantastic double we turned our attention to the summer now and spent a couple weeks off but from then it was back in training and ready for a hard pre season so we could knuckle down and aim for the Supercoupe. The board returned their season expectations, the Supercoupe draw was done and I did a quick review of the finances.
The last league game of the season and the first competitive game of the new season. The Supercoupe has drawn us against Anderlecht which certainly won't be an easy task but one we will relish. Hopefully a couple new faces for us this summer and we can come back stronger than ever next year! If we can go on and win this I will be resigning from Gent, just over a year after taking over.
The board expectations are very light this year with them only expecting a Europa League spot, last year when I took charge they were expecting a title challenge so they've dropped a little. Despite being confident we can challenge for the title again I did settle for the Europa League spot via the league. A small transfer budget of just over a million whilst having ninety one thousand available for wages.
Here is our financial situation at the club. Our balance is now in the black with over one million secure in our balance and as already stated we have the whole balance as our transfer budget and will only spend it if we need to. Just under twenty thousand pounds spare on wages for us to should see us have the backing if we need to strengthen the squad.
So over the next month we have five friendlies to get ready for the big tie. With a mix of friendlies some at home and some away we can get ourselves ready for the Supercoupe clash. We kick off in a few days at home against German giants Schalke before traveling to Ahlen and returning home against Dinamo Minsk, a side I've played against from a past job. Roda JC will also come to us before we travel to Boussu. We were then drawn at home against Anderlecht in the Supercoupe which we look to win.
Dan
After a great first season in charge we went into pre season looking to strengthen before the new season gets here and more importantly the Supercoupe Final. The transfer market was quiet for us whilst the finances took a nice steady rise and followed by a good pre season on the pitch.
This is the only transfer that has taken place so far this season. And to be fair it was a deal that was confirmed last year. Christian Bruls, who had played extremely well for us all last season agreed a January move to league rivals Club Brugge after rejecting a counter offer from us meaning we lost him on a free transfer. After reviewing the squad its fair to say we have more than enough quality on the pitch not to spend money.
This has seen a steady rise in the financial side of the game as I've now taken the club from two and a half million in the red and now just under two and a half million in the black as it continues to rise. Still have our whole one million pounds to spend if the right player comes available and with that the spare wages of now twenty seven thousand pounds are also there to help us improve.
Not a brilliant pre season this summer however we did the hard part which was staying unbeaten throughout the summer. With five friendlies played we only managed to claim two wins however with three good draws against some big teams we can take a lot away from the summer. Firstly we grabbed a solid point against Schalke one all at home before traveling to Ahlen and smashing them eight nil! Two more draws followed as we drew one all with Dinamo Minsk and then two all with Roda JC. We ended pre season away from home against Boussu and grabbed a good three one victory and went into the Supercoupe in confidence...
Here it was the Supercoupe meeting against Anderlecht and what a thrilling game it was. After twenty three minutes of the final being played we were into the lead as Ghanassy found the back of the net before we found ourselves two up with five minutes before the break as Reimerink doubled our lead. However moments later Anderlecht struck one back before the break. And they made the fantastic comeback complete in the seventieth minute as Atangana netted for them to take the game to extra time.
With no goals in extra time we had to take our luck in the penalty shootout and this was the luck of the draw and the luck was with us and we won four two! Mokulu put us infront as he took the first spot kick and scored. However the keeper failed to keep out Kouyate's penalty and it was one all. N'Diaye calmly put us penalty into the back of the net before Anderlecht's Morales made it two a piece. Andrade made it three two to us before Anderlecht's Hensen saw his penalty saved! Advantage us! Van Crugten made it four two as we kept our one hundred percent scored rate before Juncosa stepped up for Anderlecht and saw his penalty saved...Champions! Four two winners on penalties.
Shedender
Miimaa
To_Madeira
Dan
Thanks Miimaa, everything just clicked for us and we were much better the start of this season in the Supercoupe. Me and Shedender both decided that we would count the Derde Klasse A and B as one just like we will the Blue Square South and North and any other divisions with more than one tier.
Thanks To_Madeira just one more to find here in Belgium now!
Following the double last season with the league and cup win and claiming the first piece of silverware this season with the Supercoupe win over Anderlecht it was time to sit down and decide what to do. I have to drop down to the Belgacom league to still win that but I had to decide weather to stay in the job until a new opportunity comes up, or to step straight down and process through.
My choice come the end was easy and it wasn't hard to make my mind up. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Genk just over a year after taking the reigns at the club. However I did what I needed to do here and quickly so it was time to move on. We will be in search of a reasonable Belgacom league side to take over and hopefully aim for promotion but for now its on the dole as there are no jobs available at all.
Dan
After stepping down from AA Gent with the three trophies I had under my belt I left and went on the dole and in search for a lesser job, how bad of me. However it was for the right reason as we searched for the final trophy I needed here in Belgium and I couldn't think of a better job to become available.
Antwerp have been sitting in the Belgacom for the last two or three seasons and despite being predicted to win promotion each year they have failed to do so and now sitting seventh in the league at the start of November their manager was finally shown the door. This seemed and ideal opportunity.
Almost immediately I went ahead and declared my interest in this vacancy as it was the perfect job to get back on the market. To my joy, struggling Antwerp were more than happy with my interest and took my application serciously. This could be the way forward and the final stop here in Belgium with any luck.
Finally Antwerp went ahead and approached me with an appealing offer for the league they sit in. A four year deal on two thousand pounds a week was there offer which I didn't change as it seemed reasonable enough. However with that they expect me to find promotion which in itself won't be an easy task but come next year we could easily find ourselves in the right zone.
Wuytens was sacked by Antwerp after nine games as they sat in seventh place in the league despite being predicted second. As you can see a caretaker manager has been in and has guided them up to fifth and now its my turn to hopefully take them to the top. With period one over and OH Leuven coming out on top they have the playoff spot. Now period two has begun and so far we sit just three points off the top spot in the league! It sure is doable for us!
Shedender
BOWC
Dan
Thanks BOWC! It could mean Belgium is wrapped up in just three years!
So since leaving AA Gent I waited out for the 'right' job in the Belgacom to take on. Eventually it came in form of Antwerp who harshly sacked their manager despite failing to achieve their promotion hopes their last three seasons. Slightly below par this year I went into November at the helm and with four league games to introduce myself I had to make an instant impact here.
A fantastic start here, I began my reign away to Union SG, despite their league advantage on us we were good enough to turn them over. Colin put us ahead after just two minutes before Van Belle doubled our lead before half an hour and we were cruising. We did however concede one in the second half but three points on my first appearance.
The players made it two wins in two for me as we welcomed Waasland for my first home appearance. A fantastic performance saw us ahead early on again, Laine netting after just four minutes before Mawene was caught in the box and he took the penalty to make it two after eleven minutes. We conceded before the break but were looking good. Second half we went on to dominate as Van Belle netted his second in as many games and Groot rounded up the scoring to secure a four one victory.
My first and only slip up in my opening month was a trip to Turnhout. A tough game on paper proved so on the pitch as neither side managed to break the deadlock and it ended all square at nil nil.
We made the perfect start with three wins from four as we welcomed struggling FCV Dender. Colin opened the scoring for us again after thirteen minutes before Dender leveled before the break. Second half we went on a rampage as Laine netted before two goals in four minutes coming from Van Belle and Depuydt saw us record our second four one win of the month.
A near perfect opening month in the league has seen us immediately rise up the table and now halfway into the season we sit top. Despite being in charge for just four league games the team already seem to be adaptive to the formation and I think the previous manager must of felt hard done by now. We are top over Westerlo by a single point whilst we lead period two by three points.
Shedender
Dan
A near perfect start in November left us with nine points from a possible twelve as I started my reign here comfortably. We now headed into December sitting top of the table and with another four games to go, with these four somewhat easier, would we be able to hold onto our unbeaten run.
We began December away from home as we traveled to Dessel and continued our fantastic run. Van Belle was the man on form as he put us one up after just three minutes and twenty one minutes later doubled his and our tally for the day. We conceded in the second half but were home and dry.
Away to Mouscron-Peruwlz we secured a clean sheet along with another three points as we stole a two nil win. De Wit struck moments before the break to raise morale before a goal two minutes from the end by Depuydt saw us run out two nil winners once again.
Our only home game of the month saw us welcome Lommel United where we came back from an early goal to win. Despite falling behind after seven minutes we drew level twenty one minutes later as Swennen pulled us back in it. We went ahead a minute before the break as Swennen netted his and our second to secure the win.
We ended December back on the road as we traveled to Oostende and secured another two nil victory. Aafjes put us infront after twenty five minutes as I looked to go eight without a defeat. We managed that as Van Belle struck late on in the second half to secure the points.
Period two may still have two games to play but they are now playing for nothing. Since taking over we've twenty two points and this has seen me take them to a playoff spot. We have won playoff two and can relax a little in our final two games of the period.
So this sees us stay top of the table following four wins and we now open a gap at the top of the table. Five points clear of second place chasing Westerlo and eight clear of Aalst and OH Leuven in third and fourth respectively. We now head into the winter break full of confidence!
Dan
Following a successful two months in charge in competitive football I now had a short break to just enjoy the scenery here in Antwerp and took the team on a few friendlies before we would eventually return to competitive action. Four games in the winter break for us to contend with.
We faced four games in the winter break with them all falling away from home thanks to my trusty assistant manager. We first traveled to Pastro Elsden where a great game saw us run out three two winners in the five goal thriller. Then traveling to feeder club Hasselt we recorded a two one win. Before keeping two clean sheets as we beat feeder club Willebroek and then US Dunkerque both three nil as I remain unbeaten in charge here!
Shedender
BOWC
Miimaa
Dan
It sure is BOWC!
I can't wait Miimaa! Bring it on!
With the winter break done and dusted and myself still not having a defeat under my belt here at Antwerp, we headed back to competitive action and that saw us face three league games. This would see period two come to an end and period three begin. However with period two ending we have already secured the playoff spot.
The month began at home with a tough battle against playoff secured side OH Leuven. Sure to not be an easy tie prove to be the exact opposite. We took the lead after just two minutes through de Wit before we waited till the second half to double our lead as Swennen netted from the spot. We secured a third goal late on as de Wit went on to round off the scoring in fine form.
We then traveled to Tubize and our fine form just continued. Colin once again gave us the lead eleven minutes before the break. Second half we conceded and fell back level as it looked like we would slip up for the first time. However we weren't about to draw for the second time as Van Belle struck eleven minutes from time to secure the win.
We rounded off the month when we traveled to Westerlo. An easy game to end the month and we recorded our third four one victory since I took charge. Depuydt gave us the lead after sixteen minutes and it looked to be a quiet game. Second half we went on to dominate and de Wit doubled our lead two minutes into the second half. Swennen then netted a fine double in the last fifteen minutes to secure the win.
After twenty three league games we are beginning to run away with the title now. A fantastic start to my reign here sees me win ten of my eleven games in charge to date. We now open up an eleven point gap at the top of the table and with a very favorable goal difference the title is ours for the losing now. We've scored the second most whilst conceding the least, a fantastic season this far in.
Dan
Another four league games were up for grabs in February and we looked to go right at it with the form still on top. We went into the month of love with an eleven point gap at the top of the table. We must keep the pressure on though or we could let slip of the title.
Our month started away to Aalst and we had to come back from two down to secure a win. We conceded after just thirteen minutes and after thirty three minutes we were two behind. Second half started well as De Wit pulled us back in it before Laine made it two all and all to play for. We went on to wrap up the win as Aafjes netted with twenty nine minutes left on the clock to secure the win.
We welcomed Tienen and once again we had to come back in the second half to go on to win. We conceded moments before the break but five minutes after the restart we were back level as Van Belle pulled as back in it. We went on to win it as Swennen nodded home the winning goal just two minutes from time. This proved to be my tenth competitive win on the bounce.
As we traveled to Tournai we recorded our fourth four one victory since I took charge here a few months ago. Van Belle had a stormer and got us off the mark after just twenty minutes. Five minutes later an own goal saw us double our lead. Second half Ven Belle made it three nil before securing his hatrick and our fourth. We conceded moments before the end but we were already winners.
We ended the month at home against Eupen. And we made it twelve wins on the bounce as we continued unbeaten ways since I took charge. Colin put us infront five minutes before the break as we showed our fine form. We ended the match as we netted a fine second with Serwy netting two minutes after the restart.
We are almost across the finish line now! Following another perfect month from us with four wins from four we are now up to fourteen points clear at the top and almost there on securing the title. Westerlo have a battle on their hands now as they try to fend off a challenge from Aalst with the same points whilst Lokeren, Union SG and Waasland all on the verge of coming up to second.
PeterGriffin
Dan
We headed into March already fourteen points clear and I have still not lost in charge here and hopefully I can see it out for the remainder of the season now. It won't be easy but thats the main objective along with the league title of course. We only faced three league games during March but would still be looking for maximum points from then and increasing our unbeaten run.
Despite winning the last twelve on the bounce we finally stumbled upon a draw as we traveled to promotion chasing Lokeren in our only away game of the month. A close game saw us behind at the break but come back through Serqy twenty minutes into the second half! A fantastic performance to snatch a point.
However we didn't take long to return to winning ways as we welcomed another promotion chasing side in Union SG. Another tough game for sure and we claimed the three points right at the death. Despite it looking like a goalless draw in form striker Swennen snatch a win with two minutes left on the clock with a low finish.
And finally we had won it. With what I believe is our fifth four one victory this season we secured the league title in a thrilling game. We took the lead through Swennen after eighteen minutes before he doubled his and our tally ten minutes later. Laine made it three before the break as we took full control of the game. Second half we conceded ten minutes in but another ten minutes down the line we had wrapped up the three points and the title as Serwy struck from close range to wrap up a four one win.
Champions! This means the last trophy is now ticked off but of course I will see it out till the end of the season as we have just four games remaining this season. With fourteen points separating us from second place Westerlo now there was noway they could catch us as they go on to search for a playoff spot through the league now. We are wrapped up here and now just focus on remaining unbeaten through my stint.
However I am yet to upload Bulgaria as I wasn't expecting to do it this quickly so there could be some time before it becomes active.
Dan
Here it was, the final month and final four league games for us to compete with and with the title already secured and under our belts we were just playing for pride, oh and to continue the unbeaten run I've been on since setting foot in Antwerp. Just four league games to play in April and we wanted to make a solid note to finish on!
We began April not only with the title under our belts but with a trip to Waasland and came away with a narrow win with a young side showing strength. The only goal came after thirteen minutes when debutant Benali struck his first senior goal for the club to secure the win.
We recorded back to back wins in April as we welcomed Turnhout and for the second game running recorded a 'narrow' victory. A second half goal with twenty six minutes left on the clock from Gamiz was enough to secure the three points once again.
We then slipped up a little as we traveled to FCV Dender as we were held to a draw. We began the brighter side with Colin netting early for us but a second goal came in the second half and unfortunately it went Dender's way as we slipped to a single point.
We ended the month and season on a sour note as we slumped to back to back draws for the first time since I took charge. A goalless draw wasn't the ideal ending to the season but it meant we had stayed unbeaten since I took over back in November.
The league season has now closed and after thirty four league games we come out on top with a massive twelve point advantage on closest rivals Westerlo. They earned a playoff spot as did Lokeren in third, they are joined by OH Leuven and a side from the Jupilar League, however all that matters is...We are champions and I can now look forward to taking the next step!
BOWC
Dan
Following three good years here in Belgium it appeared everything was rounded up and it was time to move on. However first I had to step down from my current position here at Antwerp so I though before I moved on to Bulgaria I would do a quick run down of my history since taking the challenge on back in Austria as well as show you the league starting date for Bulgaria.
After being in charge for just 210 days here at Antwerp I was already set to say goodbye and so early on. However I took them from fourth to top and stayed unbeaten whilst I was here in charge. With twenty two games league games played with me in charge we won eighteen and drew the other four including back to back careless draws at the end of the season. Netting forty seven and conceding just fourteen can't be snubbed. An 81% win ratio is wonderful at any club. Not sure why it says I have two promotions at Antwerp but I can assure you its only one promotion with the league win.
And with that rounded up, after just two hundred and ten days in charge I bidded the players and fans farewell whilst handing my resignation into the board who were sad to see me go following me achieving the promotion they've been expecting for the last three years. Whilst they will now search for a new job, I will hop on a plane and fly to Bulgaria to take the next step.
Here are my overall career statistics and since starting in Austria and currently ending in Belgium this far, we are now heading for Bulgaria however thought it was a good time to review this. We've played two hundred and ninety eight competitive games now whilst winning one hundred and eighty three, drawing fifty eight and astonishingly losing just fifty seven. We've scored five hundred and seventeen goals, conceding three hundred and twenty two leaving us with a goal difference of plus one hundred and ninety five. An average win percentage of sixty one percent goes well with our cup and league trophies all accounted for.
As I said, Belgium is now one and dusted I will remove it shortly and head over to Bulgaria which will be playable in just a months time. Luckily despite loading it late it won't wait a year to come into play meaning I can get straight onto the job hunt when I tough down in Bulgaria!
To The Next Step...
Miimaa