Lars Friis Takes Helm at Cercle Brugge Amid Relegation Fires

Danish Coach Lars Friis appointed at struggling Cercle Brugge

Lars Friis named new head coach of Cercle Brugge, tasked with steering the Belgian club clear of relegation danger in Jupiler League.

Cercle Brugge name Lars Friis as new coach in bid to avoid relegation...

Lars Friis is taking the reins at Cercle Brugge, signing a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend for two more seasons. The Danish coach steps in after Onur Cinel's dismissal following a tough defeat.

Friis has a solid background - he was a youth coach at FC Midtjylland in Denmark and has experience to bring to the struggling Belgian club. 

He later had two spells as assistant coach at AGF, combined with a period at Brentford, where he worked as an assistant to Thomas Frank with the club’s second team.

In 2021, Friis took on his first role as head coach at Viborg. This proved to be an immediate success, as he led the team to the title in the Danish second division and promotion to the top flight.

He then moved on to Aalborg. After that, Friis joined Czech side Sparta Prague, where he won two league titles and one cup as assistant coach.

Last season, he stepped up as head coach of the Prague-based club. He guided the team through three qualifying rounds into the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Friis remained in charge until May last year. Lars Friis will lead his first training session on Monday.

Jimmy De Wulf will take charge of the away game against RSC Anderlecht.

Luciano Murchio, Technical Director, says: “We are delighted to welcome Lars Friis as our new Head Coach. He brings valuable experience from his time in Denmark, England, and the Czech Republic, including leading Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League.

“Lars is an ambitious and modern coach who will bring fresh energy, intensity, and personality to the team. His playing philosophy and DNA align perfectly with Cercle’s identity, and we are confident he will help us achieve our short- and long-term objectives.”

Lars Friis is de nieuwe hoofdcoach van Groen-Zwart.

De 49-jarige Deen tekende een contract tot eind dit seizoen, met de optie op twee extra seizoenen.

Lars leidt maandag zijn eerste training. Jimmy De Wulf neemt de uitwedstrijd tegen RSC Anderlecht nog voor zijn rekening.… pic.twitter.com/nnWis6Cg9G

— Cercle Brugge (@cercleofficial) March 20, 2026

Cercle Brugge's sitting second from bottom in the Belgian Jupiler League, and relegation's looming large.