Union Saint-Gilloise announce Alexander Blessin as new manager

Union Saint-Gilloise announce Alexander Blessin as new manager
New Union Saint-Gilloise manager Alexander Blessin. Credit: Belga / Tano Pecoraro

Union Saint-Gilloise appointed the German coach Alexander Blessin as the club's new manager on Monday, replacing recently departed Karel Geraerts.

Despite having now changed manager for the second season in a row, the Saint-Gilles club is seeking to build on their recent rise to the top of Belgian football, having narrowly missed out on winning the league for two seasons in a row.

Union parted ways with manager Karel Geraerts after failing to reach an agreement on new contract terms, with the Brussels side having spent the last few weeks searching for a replacement.

After much speculation, Union opted for the German manager Alexander Blessin, who has signed a two-year contract with the club. Blessin had previously been named Jupiler Pro League coach of the year in the 2020-21 season when he was managing KVV Oostende.

Blessin left the Belgian club in 2022 to manage Italian side Genoa, but suffered relegation from Serie A last season.

The German's name had been circulated in the press as the heavy favourite to be Union's new boss, beating RWD Molenbeek's current coach Vincent Euvrard.

Blessin will lead Union in the upcoming season, which begins at home on 28 July against derby rivals RSC Anderlecht.


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