The girl from Essevee’s communications department even became silent for a moment and ended the conversation of about 45 minutes herself. Whether it was Dury, Simons, Leye or D’Hollander, rarely did a coach talk so much about himself, the club where he recently had to leave after winning the title and for which we had come: his new employer Zulte Waregem, which he return to the Jupiler Pro League quickly at all costs.
We can be brief about RWDM and his departure from Molenbeek. “I had three fantastic years there and the new owner John Textor appreciated me, but we just had a different view of things,” said Euvrard.
He then took about a month and a half to rest and recharge. His body was just getting used to the new rhythm and a trip was planned at the beginning of September when his old teammate from STVV, Tom Caluwé, called. The new sports manager of Essevee had also experienced it at KV Mechelen. After the relegation it just didn’t want to go smoothly under Dennis van Wijk and so Wouter Vrancken was brought in. malinois promoted and last season Vrancken was even national champion with Genk just two minutes after. Such a course is also not excluded for Euvrard, because the West Flemish, who lives in Limburg, is only 41 and one of the crown princes among the Belgian trainers. Ex-pro, intelligent, eloquent, also a student of Frank Vercautren and promoted as T1 and T2 with Cercle, OHL and RWDM. At Zulte Waregem they can’t sit back now, but if this trainer fails to bring Essevee back to 1A, there are other things at play.
Right mix
It is no coincidence that it now finally became Zulte Waregem for Euvrard. “I know Waregem because my brother (Yannick, now assistant coach at Anderlecht, red) and my godchildren live here”, he started. “I will also look for a flat here. This club also has everything to belong to the top eight in Belgium. This is a team from the Jupiler Pro League that plays in the Challenger Pro League for a while.”
Euvrard therefore absolutely does not want to hide and fully admits that the goal is to get a PhD. “We also have the players and the right mix of youth and experience. There are players who became champions five times, doesn’t that say something?” But he also immediately adds: “The past no longer counts. It’s about what you bring to the field today and how you try to be the best version of yourself. If that happens in combination with the methodology and principles that we want to bring in, then I see no other way than to get a PhD. That does create pressure, but that’s just me. At RWDM we also had to chase first and win every week. Pressure also ensures that everyone has to give the best of themselves.”
Little time
Euvrard knows 1B like the back of his hand and knows how to shoot the main bird. “It has to be different and better than what it was in the four previous matches, because that was not enough for me. I want to see a team that wants to work for each other and go through fire, for me that is the basis. Talent alone won’t get you a title. They have now also found out after that 7 out of 12. Each trainer has his own vision and approach. I will try to implement mine here.”
“Pressure forces everyone to give their best”
Vincent Euvrard
That is why Euvrard, Jonathan Alves and Frédéric Stilmant, also took his two assistants from RWDM with him and is still looking for help. “No detracting from the qualities of the people who were there, but I know these people and we achieved success together. We are short on time and have to include many players in our methodology. If that also has to be done for the staff, then there are too many question marks. It had to go fast and that is not possible with new people.”
In the past, he only worked with Nicolas Rommens at RWDM from the current core. On Wednesday, he still had a say in the transfer of Robbe Decostere from Cercle to Gaverbeek and had only three days to prepare his new team for the cup match against Sint-Lenaarts. “They are going to come and play well organized here. A cup match against a lower playing club is never easy, we know that. But we all have to pick up the thread together and take responsibility. Great things are possible, but you have to realize where you are now and that this is a long-term project that takes a lot of energy and strength. Taking the title in 1B, that’s what it’s all about now.”
Nicolas Rommens: “In cup match confidence for the competition”
Nicolas Rommens is the only Essevee player who has previously worked with Vincent Euvrard. He is looking forward to the cup match against Sint-Lenaarts. “They will be very motivated at the kick-off. Completing a match at the Gaverbeek is really something unique for those guys, because they compete in the third division. For us it is a match in which we have to go all out for victory and try to build up confidence to visit Jong Genk a week later. However, Sint-Lenaarts has already proven that you should not underestimate them, because in the end you don’t just eliminate KRC Gent and Berchem Sport. Cup football is always something special.” (ssg)
