White smoke! Cercle Brugge reveals its new head coach

Cercle Brugge has appointed a new head coach: Ferdinand Feldhofer. The 45-year-old Austrian has signed a contract until the end of this season, with an option to extend until 2025-2026.

Born on October 23, 1979, Ferdinand Feldhofer is a well-known figure in the football world. As a player, he made his mark at top clubs like Sturm Graz and Rapid Vienna. He also earned 13 caps for the Austrian national team.

His coaching journey began in 2015 at SV Lafnitz, a club in Austria’s third division. Under Feldhofer’s guidance, Lafnitz achieved a historic promotion to the second division in 2018. He then enjoyed a successful stint with Wolfsberger AC in the Austrian Bundesliga, leading the team to a third-place finish and securing a Europa League spot.

In Europe, Feldhofer impressed by guiding Wolfsberger through the group stage against teams like Feyenoord, CSKA Moscow, and Dinamo Zagreb. Although the team was eliminated in the round of 16 by Tottenham, it was a remarkable achievement. After a season at Rapid Vienna and a brief spell with Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia, where he worked with a young squad, Feldhofer now embarks on a new chapter with Cercle Brugge.

A coach with a clear vision

The choice of Feldhofer aligns perfectly with Cercle Brugge’s philosophy: dynamic football with a strong focus on developing young talents. "From the very first conversations, it was clear that we share the same vision for football and style of play," said Feldhofer. "I am confident in the squad’s potential and can’t wait to get started."

Feldhofer is known for his high-intensity playing style, characterized by aggressive pressing and well-structured play in possession. He also places great importance on communication within the team. "The coming days will be crucial to get to know the players and staff as we face a busy match schedule."
 

Full support from the club

Alexander Vantyghem, CEO of Cercle Brugge, expressed his confidence: "With Ferdinand, we aim to improve our position in the standings as quickly as possible. His experience and approach perfectly match our ambitions."

Technical Director Rembert Vromant echoed these sentiments: "Ferdinand brings a strong personality and a tireless work ethic. We are convinced he will be a valuable addition to our club."