Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Royal Antwerp FC appointed Stef Wils as head coach, upsetting fans who preferred experienced names like Rik De Mil or Ivan Leko. Fan spokesman Dominik Van Landeghem doubts Wils’ readiness.
As VRT News reported, Royal Antwerp FC’s decision to name Stef Wils as their new head coach has upset some of the team’s supporters. The club is presenting Wils as a promising young coach who has worked his way up through their system. However, many fans were hoping for a more established name to take charge.
They thought about coaches like Rik De Mil and Ivan Leko, who have extensive experience and have already achieved significant success in Belgian football. These fans think that someone with a better track record is needed in order to maintain a competitive standard. Some fans are worried that Wils does not have the necessary experience or reputation to help manage the club’s high expectations.
What does Stef Wils’ appointment mean for Royal Antwerp FC?
The fans are not happy with the new coach, Stef Wils. Dominik Van Landeghem, who speaks for the fans, said the club promised to do better and play in Europe. The fans think Wils isn’t the right choice and that the club might care more about money or who they like instead of winning.
They want to see the team do well right away and worry that Wils doesn’t have enough experience. Wils mentioned that this puts a lot of pressure on Wils, and how he does early on will be very important for the team and for keeping the fans happy.
Dominik Van Landeghem is worried about the club’s future. He thinks hiring Stef Wils shows Royal Antwerp FC isn’t trying hard enough to win. He bluntly says that the club seems to be aiming for the middle of the league instead of the top.
Van Landeghem says that since the club spends quite a lot, the fans expect the club to be more ambitious and better leaders. Many fans are worried this decision is too conservative and that it means the club won’t attempt to win championships anymore or even play in Europe.
Van Landeghem wants to make it clear that he respects Stef Wils personally. The fans will support Wils during the games. They won’t protest against him on the field. The fans’ concerns are not about Wils as a person, but about his lack of experience as a top-level coach. They believe that succeeding in Belgian football now requires more than just love for the club.
They mentioned that it also requires smart tactics, the ability to handle pressure, and experience with big clubs. While Wils might improve, the fans aren’t sure if this is the right time to take a chance on him. The club says it has big goals, but fans wonder if the management’s actions match what they say.
