Six years ago, the British Alex Muzio (40) joined Union as a co-investor. From the start, the intention was to win prizes with the then second division club. The Belgian Cup, the first trophy in 89 years, was the tangible reward for several years of excellent work on Thursday. Since returning to the highest level, Union has brought a breath of fresh air to the Jupiler Pro League. With his supporters dressed in yellow and blue who rarely lose themselves in negativism – whistling at the opponent does not happen in the Joseph Mariën Stadium – but just as well with his policy.
Not outside the lines
Chairman Muzio and his two co-pilots, CEO Philippe Bormans and sporting director Chris O’Loughlin, do not color outside the pre-set lines. In a bid for players or coaches, the Brussels triumvirate will not easily lose out, it will not pay what other Belgian top clubs throw on the table. This strict wage policy sometimes leads to unpopular decisions, such as the departure of success coach Karel Geraerts last summer, but in Sint-Gillis no one is bigger than the team.
It is also reflected in strong players Anthony Moris (34), unemployed for months before he ended up in the Duden Park, and Christian Burgess (32), picked up in the British third division. With their fighting spirit and team spirit, the goalkeeper and defender personify the DNA of the Brussels tradition club. If you want to earn more elsewhere, Bormans and co. to go. But not without getting the most out of it.
The next in the now impressive row may be Mohamed Amoura (22 goals, 6 assists this season) and Cameron Puertas (14 goals, 21 assists). The chance that the Brussels house of cards will collapse due to their departure seems nil. Vice champion in 2022, third last year, and now back in the title race: with the support and knowledge from England, Union has been playing a leading role for three years in a row and the cup winner has definitively earned the “one-season wonder” label shaken off.
Inside out
With intensive scouting, which uses data to search the lower series, a thorough knowledge of the Belgian market and a thorough psychological assessment, Union time and again accommodates the departure of key players. Only those who match (the values of) the club are allowed in. And before that happens, he’s turned inside out – on and off the field. Interviews are read, social media are checked, and the player’s hunger and human side are gauged in personal conversations to limit the risk that each transfer entails.
The people of Brussels do not seem likely to lose their place in Belgian football heaven any time soon. “We’re here to stay,” Burgess said in the run-up to the cup final in Humo. Winning a cup is nice, but to really cement our place at the top, a new home base is necessary. The yellow and blue may lose some charm – the authentic Joseph Mariën Stadium with its listed facade exudes football history – but there is a lot more predictable income.
Muzio and co. will also be involved in this. Don’t overdo it: a stadium with 15,000 to 16,000 seats is sufficient, double the 7,000 seats currently available.
