Carl Hoefkens is Club Brugge's new head coach | OneFootball

Carl Hoefkens is Club's new head coach. The former player and assistant coach takes the helm as Alfred Schreuder joined AFC Ajax.

Hoefkens (43) has a rich history with the blue and black. The former Stoke City and West Brom player defended the colours of Club from 2009 until 2013 and wore the captain's armband. In 2018 Hoefkens returned to Jan Breydel as assistant coach for the U18 and U21 sides, after which he became Talent Coach. In that role he coached players like Charles De Ketelaere, Ignace Van der Brempt and Cisse Sandra before they joined the first team. The past three seasons, Hoefkens was assistant coach and thus played an important role in the past three league titles. Now he takes on the position of head coach, with Rik De Mil and Paul Okon as assistants in his coaching staff. Hoefkens, De Mil and Okon signed a contract for an indefinite period.

Rik De Mil (40) impressed as U23 coach with the performances of Club NXT and was already on the bench during the recent weeks. The promotion of De Mil and Hoefkens fits perfectly into Club's philosophy of giving players and coaches the opportunity to take the next step.

Paul Okon (50) also joins the coaching staff. The former Golden Boot winner wore the shirt from 1991 to 1996 after which he played for teams like Lazio Roma, Middlesbrough FC and Fiorentina. Together with De Mil, Okon will assist Hoefkens in the search for a fourth national title.

Carl Hoefkens: "I'm looking forward to start the season in my new role. I'm a man of the house. Just like I was as a player, talent coach and assistant coach, I plan on giving it my all to further the successes of Club Brugge. Together with the current staff and some new faces, we are confident that we can rise to the challenge."

CEO Vincent Mannaert: "Carl Hoefkens is the right man on the right time. Like nobody other Carl knows our club and he has experience with working in our structure. He's a passionate winner who has proven to get results with players - not just the young ones."