Hein Vanhaezebrouck regrets the saga surrounding his supposed successor Wouter Vrancken: “Annoying and unhappy”

Wouter Vrancken has a personal agreement with AA Gent and thus appears to be Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s successor: “I will deal with this in my own way,” the current Ghent coach replied measuredly when the topic was immediately discussed during the traditional press chat. “This is annoying, because then you start asking questions about it. My second period is not over yet. It’s still too early to talk about that. I still have a few matches to play, including at least one very important one.”

“This is not discussed within the group, but it is annoying and unfortunate. You create a new effect on a possible potential opponent for something very important. Actually, it was completely unnecessary at this stage of the competition and now you are in danger of cutting your own fingers and that is a concern for the current trainer. I’m not going to say more about that. If you have any questions about what happened: Tom may even know more than I do,” the Ghent coach referred to the Buffaloes’ press secretary. “You have to go to other people. I only read what is written.”

Vanhaezebrouck still did not want to say anything about his own future: “I may have already made a decision. I already have a plan in my head, but it is still too early to communicate about it. Putting on the brakes on my statements? That’s not uncomfortable. I used two words, which are significant and all-encompassing.”

Remarkable proposal: “Let’s use nine substitutes”

In passing, Vanhaezebrouck also reflected on the remainder of the exceptionally long football season: “You now have three matches that are no longer important in terms of points. That’s why I have a proposal to all teams in Play-Off 2: let’s use all nine substitutes so we can give everyone minutes. If it’s the same for everyone, I’d like to do nine substitutions. We will of course maintain the number of substitution moments, otherwise it will become a cacophony. I would really like them to say: just use everyone.”

“We can switch things up a bit, but you still have a goal: that very important jump-off match, you can’t just do anything. There are some of us who need minutes, but most of them cannot play 90 minutes, so you also have to take into account that if they start, they also have to be substituted. Tibe De Vlieger unfortunately dropped out again this week, it’s not a big deal but it means he can’t play. It’s time to weigh in on some guys. Sonko and Kums were also sick this week, you also have to take that into account. My proposal will of course be rejected, but I think every coach in PO2 could live with this.”

On the other hand, Vanhaezebrouck is annoyed by some members of his playing group: “The players were given a few days’ holiday this week, some returned to family, others went on a city trip. That was deserved. You could see that some returned and were not ready at all. They weren’t focused, that’s a lack of professionalism. Others are super sharp. I have notified everyone. If there are surprising choices, don’t ask questions. There are also reasons such as illness. Surdez is recovering and has also been ill. We will have to wait and see whether he is still available.”

“On the other hand, you cannot put supporting players on hold for three weeks,” the Ghent coach refers to the balancing act that is currently keeping him busy. “It is constantly making choices and considerations. As a staff, there is always some calculation and estimation involved and dealing with surprises. If two boys are injured before half time, someone suddenly has to be on the field for 90 minutes, which is not planned at all.”