Carl Hoefkens leaves NAC Breda after relegation and returns to Belgium as OH Leuven manager
Carl Hoefkens (47) is departing NAC Breda and making the move to OH Leuven. The Belgian manager, who was unable to save NAC from Eredivisie relegation, insisted in the immediate aftermath of that disaster that he wanted to fight for the club — yet he is now returning to his home country after all. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the deal with the Belgian top-flight side is all but done.
From fighting talk to farewell
The situation at NAC Breda initially seemed clear-cut: Carl Hoefkens wanted to stay. Shortly after the Eredivisie relegation, the 47-year-old Belgian presented himself as a manager who does not run from adversity. He described himself as 'a fighter, someone who is out for revenge and willing to do everything to battle back with this club.' The supporters, however, saw things very differently. During the decisive relegation match, banners with pointed messages aimed at the manager were hung around the stadium. There was little appetite among the fanbase for a longer stay for Hoefkens in Breda.
Name long linked to OH Leuven
Despite his defiant words, a departure had been hanging in the air for weeks. Hoefkens' name had cropped up regularly in recent months in connection with OH Leuven, the Belgian first-division club who were searching for a new head coach following the departure of Felice Mazzu. Yet for a long time, an actual move to Leuven did not appear to be on the cards. Now Het Laatste Nieuws reports that the deal between Hoefkens and OH Leuven is virtually sealed. The Leuven club is asking him to build a longer-term project at the club.
One season in the Eredivisie, now back home
Hoefkens began his adventure at NAC Breda last year but was unable to keep the club in the Eredivisie. After a difficult season, NAC finished in a relegation position and will return to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. For Hoefkens himself, the transfer to OH Leuven represents a return to Belgian football. He previously served as head coach of Club Brugge and Standard Luik. As he still has a running contract at NAC, the Breda club are expected to receive a compensation fee for his departure. An official confirmation from NAC Breda had not yet been issued at the time of writing.
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Source: Via Omroep Brabant (GNews)
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