Club Brugge sack manager ahead of UCL showdown with Arsenal

Belgian giants Club Brugge have sacked head coach Nicky Hayen just two days before their crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal.

The club confirmed on Monday that Hayen had been relieved of his duties, with former manager Ivan Leko appointed immediately as his replacement.

Hayen departs with Brugge sitting 26th in the Champions League standings and still battling for a top-24 finish that would secure a place in the knockout stage for the second consecutive season.

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Despite a memorable 4-1 win over Monaco in September, Brugge have collected only four points from five matches. Domestically, the defending Belgian champions have also struggled, dropping to third in the league table, five points behind leaders Union Saint-Gilloise and one behind Sint-Truiden.

Hayen, who spent 18 months in charge and led Brugge to the league title last season, now makes way for Leko, currently with Gent.

The 47-year-old Croatian, capped 13 times for his country, previously played 98 matches for Brugge and won the Belgian Cup in 2006/07. His first managerial stint at the club was equally successful, delivering the 2017/18 league title.

Leko now returns to the dugout with little preparation time as Brugge brace for a high-stakes encounter with Arsenal at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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