The brand new Performance Director has to leave Anderlecht after just two weeks

Dave Cosgrave was appointed as the new Performance Director two weeks ago, but now seems to be on his way out. The 46-year-old Irishman flew back to the United States for personal reasons and the chance that he will return to Brussels is almost non-existent. There was a lot of disagreement in the internal kitchen about his way of working.

Cosgrave, who has spent the past two and a half years with Orlando City in the American MLS, was appointed as leader of the purple and white’s medical and physical department two weeks ago. Strange timing, in the middle of the Champions’ Play-offs and the title battle, but the Irishman did have a CV to admire. Cosgrave previously also worked for the English clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Stoke City, Fulham and the Danish FC Copenhagen. Lead Physio Niels Mathieu, Performance Coach Dries Bloemen and Medical Coordinator Luc Vanden Bossche remained responsible for the daily operations.

“My task will be to assist the entire staff in order to create a continuous competitive advantage for the team,” he said upon his appointment. “I want to contribute with my experience to the further development of the high-performance culture that already characterizes the club. I look forward to getting to know everyone at this wonderful club.”

Dissatisfaction with the way of working

But soon several members of the medical profession expressed their dissatisfaction with his way of working, causing Cosgrave to be officially banned from returning to the US. After the end of the season, his role within the club would be reviewed again, but normally the Irish story stops at Anderlecht.