Financial Turmoil, Dirk Kuyt’s Struggles, and Off-Field Woes: Beerschot In Crisis

On Thursday evening, the board of directors at Beerschot finally convened for a virtual meeting, addressing the club’s dire situation.

While the sporting results of the season were discussed, the focus remained firmly on the ongoing financial dispute between the club’s shareholders. Despite speculation surrounding the future of head coach Dirk Kuyt, no immediate decisions were made to remove the Dutchman from his post.

Kuyt will remain in charge and is expected to be on the touchline for Beerschot’s upcoming match against Anderlecht, despite his team’s woeful form, which has left them languishing at the bottom of the Belgian Pro League table. “The dispute between the two shareholders must be resolved as soon as possible. As long as that has not happened, our club will stand still,” said board member Gunther Dieltjens after the meeting.

The club’s majority shareholder, Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, owns 75% of the shares through his United World holding company. The remaining 25% is held by the Flemish firm Immo & Sport Invest, owned by Francis Vrancken and Philippe Verellen. However, relations between the two ownership groups have deteriorated. A resolution is desperately needed to stabilise the club’s future, but despite a conversation between Vrancken and the Saudi prince earlier this year, no progress has been made, and no date for a new shareholder meeting has been set.

Onze Mannekes komen tweemaal op voorsprong maar verlaten Westerlo met een punt.#WESBEE #WeAre13 pic.twitter.com/AUP3wJmLg8

— K. Beerschot V.A. (@kbeerschotva) October 4, 2024

Kuyt’s Struggles Amid Beerschot’s On-Field Misery

Beerschot’s dismal start to the season, with just two points from ten games, has left the team six points adrift at the bottom of the league. They are a full nine points behind Sint-Truiden, who currently occupy the final relegation play-off spot. Kuyt’s position as head coach has come under intense scrutiny, with internal divisions about whether he should remain in charge. However, the board has opted to keep him on, at least for now.

Reports suggest that a board meeting to discuss Kuyt’s future had been scheduled for earlier in the week but was postponed due to legal complications involving the club’s shareholders. Many expected Kuyt to be axed after his team’s poor form, which has seen them endure eight defeats and two draws, but for the time being, the Dutchman retains the backing of the Saudi owners.

Kuyt has expressed frustration at the off-field issues that have hampered his ability to turn things around. One major concern he highlighted was the club’s lack of proper training facilities. “The training ground in Wilrijk was unplayable,” Kuyt told Belgian media outlet Voetbalkrant. Efforts to find a new location were unsuccessful, and as a result, Beerschot’s home stadium has been doubling as their training ground. For a top-flight club in Belgian football, this is far from ideal and has only added to the concerns among supporters about the club’s ability to compete at this level.

Beerschot’s ownership struggles have compounded matters. United World, which also owns Sheffield United in the English Championship, had reportedly been looking to sell the Belgian club before their unexpected promotion to the top flight last year. With Beerschot now battling relegation, the club’s off-field dysfunctions have come to the fore, leaving both players and fans uncertain about the future.

Beerschot’s Problems Run Deeper Than Dirk Kuyt

The spotlight on Dirk Kuyt’s future at Beerschot is understandable given the team’s dismal performances, but sacking the Dutchman is unlikely to resolve the club’s more fundamental issues. The bigger problem lies off the pitch, where ownership disputes and financial uncertainty have left Beerschot in a perilous position. Without a clear resolution between the Saudi owners and the Flemish shareholders, the club will continue to struggle. The lack of basic resources, like a proper training ground, highlights the extent of the challenges Kuyt has faced since taking over.

For many pundits, Beerschot’s relegation seems all but inevitable, not because of Kuyt’s failings, but due to the mismanagement that has plagued the club at boardroom level. If the ownership dispute is not resolved quickly, Beerschot could find themselves not only relegated but in a far worse situation financially. The shareholders must come together soon to provide the leadership and investment needed to stop the club’s freefall.