Club Brugge Sack Coach Nicky Hayen Ahead of Arsenal Champions League Match

Coach Nicky Hayen

Club Brugge fire coach Nicky Hayen two days before Champions League clash against Arsenal, appoint Ivan Leko as new manager.

“I just learned through the press that Nicky Hayen has been dismissed from Club Brugge and that...”

 

Club Brugge has made a surprise move, sacking coach Nicky Hayen just two days before their Champions League match against Arsenal. Hayen, who took over as permanent manager in June 2024, had led the team to the Belgian Pro League title and won the Belgian Cup and Super Cup.

Ivan Leko, a former Brugge manager, has been appointed as the new head coach, returning to the club after a previous stint from 2017-2019. Leko, 47, joins from KAA Gent, where he had won eight of his 19 matches in charge.

ℹ️ Club neemt afscheid van Nicky Hayen als hoofdcoach. Ivan Leko vervangt hem als hoofdcoach van Blauw-Zwart.

Club wil Nicky van harte bedanken voor zijn harde werk de afgelopen periode en wenst hem het allerbeste in de toekomst. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/q0thlsyzkt

— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) December 8, 2025

Hayen's departure comes after a dip in form, with the team dropping to third in the Belgian league and 26th in the Champions League. Leko faces a tough task ahead, especially with the upcoming match against Arsenal.

Nicky Hayen, 45, had been Brugge coach since March 2024, stepping up from assistant after Ronny Deila's dismissal. Brugge won the league title dramatically that season and had a strong Champions League run last campaign, finishing second in the domestic league.

This season's dip in form saw them slip to third, with Union Saint-Gilloise leading the league with a five-point advantage. Hayen's Brugge had struggled, losing to St. Truiden, prompting the coaching change.

“The club would like to sincerely thank Nicky Hayen for his hard work in the past and wishes him all the best in the future,” a statement said, marking the end of Hayen's tenure as Brugge coach.

Hayen had a mixed day, leading morning training before being let go. Brugge announced Leko's appointment, catching Gent off guard, with the club saying they were “completely taken aback” by the news.

“I just learned through the press that Nicky Hayen has been dismissed from Club Brugge and that Ivan Leko is his successor,” Gent chairman Sam Baro said in a brief statement.

“I'm as stunned as anyone. I can only say that Club Brugge hasn't contacted us.”

Ivan Leko's move to Club Brugge was facilitated by a release clause in his KAA Gent contract, reportedly valued at around €1 million ($1.16 million). This comes as Brugge looks to turn their season around, currently sitting 26th in the Champions League with just four points from five games.

Their hopes of making it to the knockout stages now hinge on beating Arsenal, making Wednesday's match crucial for their campaign.