Former glory of Club Brugge and assistant coach of the first team for three years, Carl Hoefkens has been appointed head coach of the Blue and Black for next season. The 43-year-old Belgian takes over from Alfred Schreuder on his way to Ajax Amsterdam.
It will be the first experience as a T1 for Hoefkens who will receive the support of Rik De Mil (former hopes coach and already assistant last season) and Paul Okon (former Golden Boot and Club player). The three men have signed a permanent contract.
Hoefkens played for Bruges between 2009 and 2013, wearing the captain’s armband. He returned to the club in 2018, first as an assistant coach for the U18s and U21s before becoming a Talent Coach. This allowed him to move players like Charles De Ketelaere or Ignace Van der Brempt to the core A.
“I can’t wait to start in my new role and I don’t think I’m lying when I say I’m a home boy,” Hoefkens said in the club statement. For his part, general manager Vincent Mannaert is delighted to give the former assistant a chance: “As far as we are concerned, Hoefkens comes at the right time. He knows the club like no one else and has experience after working for years in our organization chart.”