2020–21 in Belgian football
Appearance
Season | 2020–21 | |
---|---|---|
Men's football | ||
Super Cup | not held | |
|
The following article is a summary of the 2020–21 football season in Belgium, which is the 118th season of competitive football in the country and will run from August 2020 until June 2021.
Men's football
League season
Promotion and relegation
The following teams had achieved promotion or suffered relegation going into the 2019–20 season.
League | Promoted to league | Relegated from league |
---|---|---|
First Division A | ||
First Division B | ||
First Division Amateur Division | ||
Second Division Amateur Division | ||
Third Division Amateur Division |
Belgian First Division A
Regular season
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Club Brugge (C) | 34 | 24 | 4 | 6 | 73 | 26 | +47 | 76 | Qualification for the Europa Conference League and Play-offs I[a] |
2 | Antwerp | 34 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 57 | 48 | +9 | 60 | Qualification for the Play-offs I |
3 | Anderlecht | 34 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 51 | 34 | +17 | 58 | |
4 | Genk[b] | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 67 | 48 | +19 | 56 | |
5 | Oostende[c] | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 49 | 41 | +8 | 53 | Qualification for the Play-offs II |
6 | Standard Liège | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 52 | 41 | +11 | 50 | |
7 | Gent | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 55 | 42 | +13 | 49 | |
8 | Mechelen | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 54 | 0 | 48 | |
9 | Beerschot | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 58 | 64 | −6 | 47 | |
10 | Zulte Waregem | 34 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 53 | 69 | −16 | 46 | |
11 | OH Leuven | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 54 | 59 | −5 | 45 | |
12 | Eupen | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 44 | 55 | −11 | 43 | |
13 | Charleroi | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 46 | 49 | −3 | 42 | |
14 | Kortrijk | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 44 | 57 | −13 | 39 | |
15 | Sint-Truiden | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 41 | 52 | −11 | 38 | |
16 | Cercle Brugge | 34 | 11 | 3 | 20 | 40 | 51 | −11 | 36 | |
17 | Waasland-Beveren (R) | 34 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 44 | 70 | −26 | 31 | Qualification for the Relegation play-off |
18 | Excel Mouscron[c] (R) | 34 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 32 | 54 | −22 | 31 | Relegation to First Division B |
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off.[4]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off.[4]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ The regular season winners will qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League if they do not qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League in the playoffs or for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League through the 2020–21 Belgian Cup.
- ^ Genk qualifies for at least the play-off round of the Europa League through winning the 2021 Belgian Cup.
- ^ a b On 14 April 2021 news was released that both Excel Mouscron and Oostende had not received a Belgian professional football license for the coming season, a requirement to play at the top two levels of Belgian football. For Oostende, a lack of financial transparency, together with generally poor quality and incompleteness of the submitted report, was given as the main reason by the committee for not awarding a license, while Excel Mouscron was refused a license as besides insufficient transparency, the committee also questioned several cash flows and whether the club was creditworthy in general, also due to the fact that the wages for the months of February and March had not yet been paid at that point. For Excel Mouscron, it was already the sixth year running the license was (initially) refused, however, the club has appealed the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitrage (BAS) successfully on each occasion and intended to do so again. Oostende was planning to launch an appeal as well, with the BAS to rule on the matter for both clubs before the 10th of May. Both clubs were allowed to add new documents to their case, but in case they however still did not receive a license after appeal, knew they would have been forced to relegate to the 2021–22 Belgian Division 2 and start the season with a 3-point penalty.[1] Both Exel Mouscron and Oostende were however eventually awarded a license after appeal, meaning Oostende remained at the top level, while Excel Mouscron only dropped one level.[2][3]
Belgian First Division B
Belgian National Division 1
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tessenderlo | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 9 | |
2 | Tienen | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | |
3 | Heist | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
4 | Sint-Eloois-Winkel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
5 | Francs Borains | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
6 | Knokke | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
7 | Visé[a] | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
8 | Olympic Charleroi CF | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
9 | Patro Eisden Maasmechelen[b] | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
10 | RFC Liège | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
11 | Rupel Boom | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 | |
12 | Dender EH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
13 | Dessel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
14 | Mandel United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
15 | La Louvière Centre | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | |
16 | Roeselare[c] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ceased to exist |
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won.[8]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won.[8]
Notes:
- ^ Mid-April, Visé was refused a Belgian remunerated football license due to use of an incorrect employment contract as its manager José Riga was self-employed rather than signed full-time as per the requirements. Visé appealed the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitration, adjusting the contract ahead of the new deadline, but also used the appeal to apply for a Belgian professional football license, which would allow the club to play at the second level. The BAS ruled in favor of the club, meaning that in case any vacant places open up at a higher level, Visé would be eligible if manage to adhere to the more stringent requirements, such as extra capacity in the stadium and sufficient luminous intensity in the stadium.[5]
- ^ Patro Eisden Maasmechelen announced on 13 April 2021 that it would not be receiving a Belgian remunerated football license, a requirement to play at this level, due to outstanding debts related to social security and taxes. The club added it would appeal the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitration and believed it would be receiving a license in the end, as in the meantime the necessary funds had been obtained.[6] Eventually the license was indeed granted.
- ^ Roeselare went bankrupt before the season actually started,[7] resulting in the team automatically finishing last. After the season neighbouring club Forza Dadizele, playing at the highest level of the Belgian Provincial Leagues, was renamed SK Roeselare-Daisel, hoping to lure in supporters from the defaulted club to help climb the club up the pyramid.
Cup competitions
Competition | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
2020–21 Belgian Cup | |||
2020 Belgian Super Cup | not held (Club Brugge vs. Antwerp) |
Transfers
UEFA competitions
Champions Club Brugge qualified directly for the group stage of the Champions League, while runners-up Gent started in the qualifying rounds. Cup winners Antwerp started in the group stage of the Europa League, while Charleroi and Standard Liège started in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds after respectively finishing third and fifth.
- ^ a b LASK play their home matches at Linzer Stadion, Linz, instead of their regular home stadium Waldstadion, Pasching.
European qualification for 2021–22 summary
Competition | Qualifiers | Reason for Qualification |
---|---|---|
UEFA Champions League Group Stage | 1st in Belgian First Division A | |
UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round for Non-Champions | 2nd in Belgian First Division A | |
UEFA Europa League Group Stage | Belgian Cup Winner or 3rd in Belgian First Division A | |
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round | 3rd or 4th in Belgian First Division A | |
UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round | Europa League play-off winner |
Managerial changes
This is a list of changes of managers within Belgian professional league football:
First Division A
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cercle Brugge | ![]() |
End of contract[9] | End of 2019–20 season | Pre-season | ![]() |
3 July 2020[10] |
Antwerp | ![]() |
End of contract[11] | ![]() |
20 May 2020[12] | ||
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Mutual consent[13] | ![]() |
2 June 2020[14] | ||
Waasland-Beveren | ![]() |
Caretaker replaced | ![]() |
4 June 2020 [15] | ||
Oostende | ![]() |
Replaced[16] | ![]() |
7 June 2020[16] | ||
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Resigned[17] | ![]() |
10 June 2020[18] | ||
Excel Mouscron | ![]() |
Mutual consent[19] | ![]() |
18 July 2020[20] | ||
Anderlecht | ![]() |
Kompany became sole manager[21] | 17 August 2020 | 3rd | ![]() |
17 August 2020[21] |
Gent | ![]() |
Sacked[22] | 20 August 2020 | 16th | ![]() |
20 August 2020[22] |
Gent | ![]() |
Sacked[23] | 14 September 2020 | 16th | ![]() |
14 September 2020 |
Genk | ![]() |
Sacked[24] | 15 September 2020 | 14th | ![]() |
15 September 2020 |
Genk | ![]() |
Caretaker replaced[25] | 24 September 2020 | 14th | ![]() |
24 September 2020 |
Excel Mouscron | ![]() |
Sacked[26] | 19 October 2020 | 18th | ![]() |
20 October 2020[27] |
Genk | ![]() |
Hired by ![]() |
2 November 2020 | 7th | ![]() |
8 November 2020 [n 2] |
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Sacked[30] | 1 December 2020 | 16th | ![]() |
1 December 2020 |
Gent | ![]() |
Sacked[31] | 3 December 2020 | 12th | ![]() |
4 December 2020 |
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Caretaker replaced[33] | 7 December 2020 | 17th | ![]() |
7 December 2020 |
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Sacked[34] | 26 December 2020 | 11th | ![]() |
30 December 2020 |
Antwerp | ![]() |
Hired by ![]() |
29 December 2020 | 5th | ![]() |
4 January 2021 |
Beerschot | ![]() |
Hired by ![]() |
17 January 2021 | 10th | ![]() |
19 January 2021 |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Sacked[40] | 31 January 2021 | 15th | ![]() |
31 January 2021 |
Cercle Brugge | ![]() |
Sacked[41] | 1 February 2021 | 17th | ![]() |
3 February 2021 |
First Division B
Notes
- ^ Club NXT was not promoted, but rather admitted as a youth squad into the 2020–21 Belgian First Division B, to fill the open gap left, as only 23 teams had obtained the required Belgian professional football license, while 24 teams were needed. Club NXT is ineligible for promotion as well as relegation.
- ^ While van den Brom was announced on 6 November 2020, caretaker Domenico Olivieri was still leading the group during the match of 7 November 2020 against Sint-Truiden, with van den Brom only officially taking charge of 8 November 2020.
See also
- 2020–21 Belgian First Division A
- 2020–21 Belgian First Division B
- 2020–21 Belgian National Division 1
- 2020–21 Belgian Division 2
- 2020–21 Belgian Division 3
- 2020–21 Belgian Cup
- 2020 Belgian Super Cup
References
- ^ "KV Oostende en Moeskroen krijgen (weer) geen licentie in eerste zit" [KV Oostende and (again) Mouscron don't receive a license at their first attempt] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "KV Oostende krijgt licentie van BAS, afwachten voor Moeskroen" [KV Oostende awarded license by BAS, Mouscron still waiting] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Degradant Moeskroen bemachtigt via BAS opnieuw een licentie" [Relegated Mouscron again obtains license after appeal at BAS] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "Wezet krijgt van het BAS een licentie voor 1e nationale én voor 1B Pro League" [Visé awarded license by BAS for both First National Division ànd First Division B] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Patro Eisden krijgt geen licentie voor 1e Nationale: "Club is niet in gevaar"" [Patro Eisden not awarded a license for 1st National Division: "Club not in danger"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Einde van stamnummer 134: KSV Roeselare moet de boeken neerleggen" [End of matricule 134: KSV Roeselare forced to file for bankruptcy] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "National Division 1 2020/2021 - Season rules" (in Dutch). vbal4. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Cercle Brugge ziet zijn redder vertrekken: Bernd Storck gaat niet in op voorstel" [Cercle Brugge sees saviour depart: Bernd Storck does not accept proposition] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-04-22.
- ^ "Voormalige rechterhand van Carlo Ancelotti wordt nieuwe coach van Cercle" [Carlo Ancelotti's former right-hand man becomes Cercle's new manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-07-03.
- ^ "OFFICIEEL: Geen Bölöni meer volgend seizoen bij Antwerp" [OFFICIAL: No Bölöni anymore next season at Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-05-14.
- ^ "Ivan Leko volgt Laszlo Bölöni op als coach van Antwerp" [Ivan Leko succeeds Laszlo Bölöni as Antwerp manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-05-20.
- ^ "STVV EN MILOS KOSTIC NEMEN AFSCHEID" [STVV AND MILOS KOSTIC SAY GOODBYE] (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2020-06-02. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ "Muscat is nieuwe STVV-coach, Kostic hield enkel stoel warm: "Plan van Japanners"" [Muscat new STVV-manager, Kostic was only keeping his seat warm: "Japanese Plan"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-02.
- ^ "Waasland-Beveren presenteert Nicky Hayen als nieuwe trainer" [Waasland-Beveren presents Nicky Hayen as nieuwe manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-04.
- ^ a b "Duitser Blessin wordt de nieuwe coach van KV Oostende" [German Blessin becomes new manager of KV Oostende] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-07.
- ^ "Michel Preud'homme stopt als hoofdcoach bij Standard: "Eerlijk zijn met jezelf"" [Michel Preud'homme quits as Standard manager: "Have to be fair to yourself"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-08.
- ^ "Standard tovert Philippe Montanier uit zijn hoed als nieuwe trainer" [Standard comes up with Philippe Montanier as new manager by surprise] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-10.
- ^ "Moeskroen en coach Bernd Hollerbach gaan uit mekaar" [Mouscron and manager Hollerbach part ways] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-10.
- ^ "Gérard Lopez: "Ik neem Moeskroen over, niet Rijsel"" [Gérard Lopez: "I'm the one taking over Mouscron, not Lille"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-07-18.
- ^ a b "BREAKING: Vincent Kompany stopt met voetballen en wordt coach van Anderlecht" [BREAKING: Vincent Kompany stops as footballer and becomes manager of Anderlecht] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-08-17.
- ^ a b "AA Gent stuurt Jess Thorup al na 2 matchen de laan uit" [AA Gent sacks Jess Thorup after just 2 matches] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-08-20.
- ^ "AA Gent zet Bölöni na 25 dagen alweer aan de deur" [AA Gent sacks Bölöni after just 25 days] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-09-14.
- ^ "Racing Genk neemt afscheid van trainer Hannes Wolf" [RC Genk says goodbye to coach Hannes Wolf] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-09-15.
- ^ "KRC Genk vist Jess Thorup weer op als nieuwe hoofdtrainer" [KRC Genk revives Jess Thorup as manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-09-24.
- ^ "Rode lantaarn Moeskroen zegt vertrouwen in trainer Da Cruz op" [Red lantern Mouscron no longer has confidence in manager Da Cruz] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-10-19.
- ^ "Moeskroen haalt zijn nieuwe coach in Portugal: Jorge Simao" [Mouscron finds new manager in Portugal: Jorge Simao] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-10-20.
- ^ "Trainer Jess Thorup ruilt Racing Genk voor Kopenhagen: "Het spijt me"" [Manager Jess Thorup exchanges Racing Genk for Copenhagen: "I'm sorry"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-11-02.
- ^ "OFFICIEEL: John van den Brom is de nieuwe trainer van Racing Genk" [OFFICIAL: John van den Brom new manager of Racing Genk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-11-06.
- ^ "STVV ontslaat coach Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition als opvolger" [STVV sacks manager Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition as replacement] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-01.
- ^ "AA Gent zet coach Wim De Decker op straat na 0 op 15 in Europa League" [AA Gent sacks manager Wim De Decker following 0 out of 15 in Europa League] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-03.
- ^ "AA Gent legt zijn lot opnieuw in handen van Hein Vanhaezebrouck" [AA Gent places its fate in hands of Hein Vanhaezebrouck again] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-04.
- ^ a b "Peter Maes wordt de nieuwe coach van STVV" [Peter Maes becomes the new STVV manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-07.
- ^ "Het kon niet blijven duren: Standard zet Montanier op straat na reeks slechte resultaten" [Inevitable: Standard sacks Montanier following string of bad results] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-26.
- ^ "Standard geeft ex-assistent Mbaye Leye nu toch een kans als hoofdcoach" [Standard gives former assistant manager Mbaye Leye a chance as head coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-30.
- ^ "Officieel: Ivan Leko verlaat Antwerp voor Chinees avontuur" [Official: Ivan Leko leaves Antwerp for Chinese adventure] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-29.
- ^ "OFFICIEEL: Frank Vercauteren is de nieuwe coach van Antwerp" [OFFICIAL: Frank Vercauteren new manager of Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-12-30.
- ^ "Hernan Losada verlaat Beerschot voor American dream in MLS" [Hernan Losada leaves Beerschot for American dream in MLS] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Assistent Will Still volgt Losada op als hoofdcoach van Beerschot" [Assistant Will Still succeeds Losada as head coach at Beerschot] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-01-19.
- ^ a b "Kortrijk zet coach Yves Vanderhaeghe op straat, Luka Elsner neemt over" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-01-31.
- ^ "Degradatiestress slaat toe: Cercle Brugge neemt afscheid van coach Clement" [Relegation stress kicks in: Cercle Brugge says goodbye to manager Clement] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-02-01.
- ^ "Cercle Brugge rekent op Yves Vanderhaeghe voor redding" [Cercle Brugge counts on Yves Vanderhaeghe to avoid relegation] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-02-03.