The conversational topic in Belgium on Friday is Anderlecht’s fall from grace. Last night, Felice Mazzù’s team suffered its fifth loss in six competitive matches as it was defeated by Zulte Waregem. How long can Vincent Kompany’s replacement hold the position is the question.
Anderlecht’s fall from grace since the departure of Kompany
Anderlecht improved throughout the previous two seasons under Kompany. But in the summer, the trainer moved on to Burnley, and Mazzù was then enrolled with the Union Saint-Gillois stunt club. Under his leadership, Anderlecht is not doing well. The team is currently in ninth place after thirteen games, at least eighteen points behind leader RC Genk. Zulte Waregem’s defeat represented a new low.
Anderlecht’s supporters voiced their displeasure even before the game. A banner stated, “In five months you have wasted three years.” The language used by the fans is plural. Mazzù is not the only one to blame for the season’s poor start. On a French-language banner, the trainer was referred to as having a “weak game system.”
After his defeat by Zulte Waregem, Mazzù had already been questioned about his employment. Do I need to be afraid? The management should be questioned about this. Just to get ready for the game on Sunday, I’m going to the club tomorrow morning. When you begin working for Anderlecht, you are aware that you must win nearly every game. The pressure will come if you don’t.
The coach of Anderlecht admitted that things are not going as he had hoped. “We must develop the ability to handle pressure. Everyone is aware of my positive interactions with my athletes. However, since we don’t accept points at the moment, it doesn’t function. The board will make a decision if they so want.
Mazzù’s Zulte Waregem coworker offered encouragement to him during the news conference. “You pose questions to him that he is unable to respond to. He was Belgium’s top coach the previous year, but we obviously can’t kick the ball ourselves. Therefore, it can’t possibly be just his responsibility,” Mbaye Leye, Zulte Waregem’s trainer, remarked.
