Key Takeaways:
- Club Brugge dismissed Nicky Hayen two days before their Champions League fixture against Arsenal
- Ivan Leko, aged 47, has been appointed as manager after joining from Gent, who were reportedly unaware of his departure
- Brugge hold four points from five Champions League matches and must defeat Arsenal to retain knockout stage hopes
Managerial Change Before Crucial Fixture
Club Brugge have made a significant managerial change by sacking Nicky Hayen just two days prior to welcoming Arsenal in the Champions League. The club have appointed Ivan Leko, their former head coach, to step in immediately. Leko, who previously managed Brugge from 2017 to 2019, assumes charge ahead of a must-win European encounter.
ℹ️ Club neemt afscheid van Nicky Hayen als hoofdcoach. Ivan Leko vervangt hem als hoofdcoach van Blauw-Zwart.
Club wil Nicky van harte bedanken voor zijn harde werk de afgelopen periode en wenst hem het allerbeste in de toekomst. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/q0thlsyzkt
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) December 8, 2025
Leko’s Return and Gent’s Surprise
Leko, aged 47, has arrived from Gent, who stated they were caught off guard by his departure. Gent officials claimed there was no prior contact from Brugge regarding the move. A crucial release clause in Leko’s contract enabled him to leave Gent, reportedly for a sum of about one million euros, according to Belgian media.
Hayen, aged 45, initially joined Brugge as an assistant in March 2024 after Ronny Deila’s exit. Despite conducting Monday’s morning training session, he was dismissed just hours later. Brugge issued a statement expressing gratitude for Hayen’s service and extended well wishes for his future.
Gent chairman Sam Baro responded: “I have just learned that Nicky Hayen has been dismissed by Club Brugge and that Ivan Leko will be his successor. I am just as amazed as everyone else. I can only say that Club Brugge has not contacted us.”
Recent Form and Rankings
Brugge claimed the league title in dramatic style at the end of the previous season and finished second to Union Saint-Gilloise in the national championship during their last Champions League campaign. However, their current domestic form has declined. A 2:3 defeat to Sint-Truiden over the weekend dropped the club to third in the table, now trailing league leaders Union by five points.
| Manager | Period at Brugge | Previous Role | Route to Appointment | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicky Hayen | March 2024 – December 2025 (until dismissal) | Assistant, Club Brugge | Promoted following Ronny Deila’s dismissal | 45 |
| Ivan Leko | 2017 – 2019, June 2024 – present | Manager, Gent | Release clause paid (approx. 1 million euros) | 47 |
Champions League Group Situation
In the ongoing Champions League campaign, Club Brugge have secured four points from five matches and currently occupy 26th position. Their upcoming tie against Arsenal is crucial, with only a victory keeping their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive for February.
