Club Brugge Fire Coach Nicky Hayen Days Before Facing Arsenal

Club Brugge made a stunning move just 48 hours before their Champions League showdown with Arsenal, firing head coach Nicky Hayen and bringing back a familiar face to lead the team. Croatian manager Ivan Leko, who previously coached the club from 2017 to 2019, has been appointed as his replacement.

The decision came as a surprise across Belgian football — and even more so for KAA Gent, Leko’s former club. Gent officials said they had no idea Brugge were negotiating with their manager. Chairman Sam Baro admitted he only learned the news through media reports, saying he was “as stunned as anyone” and noted that Brugge “hasn’t contacted us.”
According to Belgian outlets, Leko’s contract included a release clause worth around one million euros ($1.16 million), which Brugge activated.

Nicky Hayen’s exit marks a dramatic twist in a turbulent season. The 45-year-old took over in March 2024 after Ronny Deila was dismissed, stepping into the role from his previous position as assistant coach. Under Hayen, Brugge delivered a strong finish, capturing the league title in thrilling fashion and making waves in the Champions League. Last season, they also secured second place behind Union Saint-Gilloise in domestic competition.

But the momentum didn’t last. This season, Brugge’s form has dipped noticeably. Their weekend loss to St. Truiden pushed them down from second to third in the league standings, widening Union’s lead to five points. Despite running Monday’s morning training session, Nicky Hayen was informed just hours later that his time at the club was over.

In a statement, Club Brugge thanked Nicky Hayen “for his hard work” and wished him well moving forward.

Leko now steps into a high-pressure situation with almost no time to settle in. Brugge currently have just four points from five Champions League matches and sit 26th in the overall standings. To have any chance of reaching the knockout rounds in February, they must beat Arsenal — a difficult task made even tougher by the last-minute coaching change.

As Brugge prepare for the crucial match, all eyes will be on how quickly Leko can steady the team and bring back the spark from his first spell in charge.

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