Cercle Brugge have appointed Scotsman Ian Coll as their new Head of Performance. The appointment is a direct reinforcement of the staff around under-pressure head coach Lars Friis.
The club sit 18th and last in the Jupiler Pro League after nine matchdays with just three points from zero wins, three draws and six defeats. A recent 5-2 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise last Saturday highlighted the issues, a match in which S. Goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke reacted after that match. "Op deze manier de boot ingaan, is pijnlijk," he said. Captain Hannes Van Der Bruggen and Friis himself also showed frustration and doubt afterwards.
New expertise
With Coll's arrival, Cercle hope to improve the physical and mental preparation of the squad. The Scot brings international experience and is seen as a key support pillar for Friis, whose position is under scrutiny. The club's board are maintaining their trust in the coach for now, but results must improve quickly. The recent form of one win and three losses in the last four matches, including the heavy defeat to Union and a 1-2 home loss to Anderlecht, offers little comfort.
The next test is already scheduled for Sunday 1 November, a home match against Antwerp. That fixture is on our fixtures page. Antwerp currently sit 11th. Cercle have scored 11 goals this half of the season but conceded 21, for a goal difference of minus ten. The team are consequently 22 points behind leaders KAA Gent.
The only win in the last four league matches was a 2-1 away victory at Sporting Hasselt on 16 October, with goals from A. Manneh and S. Ngoura. The other results were a 1-2 home defeat to Anderlecht and a 3-2 loss at Charleroi. Coll's appointment is a first step in an attempt to turn the tide before the home game against Antwerp kicks off.
The report in full is at hln.be
