© Dick Demey
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Wouter Vrancken (43) may be working on his last months as coach of KV Mechelen. According to various sources within and around the club, Vrancken has indicated internally that he will be looking for a new challenge after this season. The Limburger beckons abroad.
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Thomas Standaert
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The fairytale marriage between KV Mechelen and Wouter Vrancken is in all likelihood nearing its end. After four seasons in Mechelen, the Truienaar thinks the time is right to breathe in new air. Earlier this week, Vrancken said in an extensive interview with Sports Football Magazine that he ‘would like to step out of his comfort zone after this season’. His entourage is of course aware and it can be heard within the board that he has already made his wish to leave internally clear. At KV they would rather not see him go, but they also realize that they cannot keep their ambitious coach in Mechelen forever. Club and coach meet after the end of the regular season to discuss the future. Perhaps Vrancken will convey the message to the Mechelen club board that his story has been written at KV as far as he is concerned. Vrancken has a contract with KV for an indefinite period that includes a termination clause and a fixed severance payment
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It is not a complete surprise that Vrancken wants to give up at KV after this season. Due to his impressive track record in recent years (with promotion, cup win and three consecutive seasons in the top six), the ex-player of STVV, Genk, Gent and KV has become one of the most sought-after Belgian trainers. Moreover, in Mechelen he is confronted with the financial and infrastructural limits of the club. The limited (transfer) budgets and especially the poor condition of the training fields have been a thorn in his side for a long time. The knowledge that these two pain points will not disappear in the short term is partly at the root of Vrancken’s decision to try his luck elsewhere.
For his next challenge, the Limburger is primarily looking abroad. Earlier this season, Vrancken already received an offer from the English second division team Barnsley, but a departure was then unnegotiable for the KV club management. After four seasons of loyal service, the Mechelen success coach will hope that the club board will now adopt a more flexible attitude. Since it does not look like a place will become available at the Belgian top clubs for the time being, Vrancken would focus his sights on the Dutch Eredivisie or a club in the German or English second division. But before that happens, he first wants to say goodbye to KV Mechelen in beauty. By guiding KV to the Europe Play-offs for the second year in a row and helping the club get a European ticket there for the first time since 1993. At KV there are still people who hope that he will change his mind and stay in such a scenario, but that seems like a vain hope.
In addition to Vrancken, KV will also say goodbye to video analyst Jan Boden at the end of this season. After four seasons at KV, Boden is turning his back on the professional football world and returning to work in the IT world.
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