Racing Genk U20

26 Dec 2026
Saturday
Process
21 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

21 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

Whatever happens, Racing Genk do not lose

13 games unbeaten now. Some were earned and some were survived, but a habit is forming — and habits are the hardest thing in football to play against.

Match

The wait goes on for Racing Genk

8 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Player ratings

Jarne Steuckers runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 30. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Sebastiaan Timmers in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Joris Kayembe gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Racing Genk and OH Leuven take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

In brief

Back issues
20 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

14 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

Whatever happens, Racing Genk do not lose

12 games unbeaten now. Some were earned and some were survived, but a habit is forming — and habits are the hardest thing in football to play against.

Match

The wait goes on for Racing Genk

7 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Player ratings

Jarne Steuckers runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 26. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Yaimar Medina gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Racing Genk share the spoils with Zulte Waregem

A 1‑1 draw with Zulte Waregem leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.

Squad

Matte Smets suspended

One booking too many, and Matte Smets sits out. Racing Genk lose him for the sort of avoidable reason that makes a manager's week longer.

Squad

Jarne Steuckers is carrying Racing Genk

3 goals and a season average of 7.21. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

Player ratings

Junya Ito keeps on missing

Shots: 4, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

19 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

7 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Player ratings

Nothing got past Matte Smets

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 33 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Match

Whatever happens, Racing Genk do not lose

11 games unbeaten now. Some were earned and some were survived, but a habit is forming — and habits are the hardest thing in football to play against.

Match

No end in sight to Racing Genk's wait for a win

6 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Racing Genk has to find a result from somewhere.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Mujaid Sadick

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 26 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jarne Steuckers

Successful dribbles: 22. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

No hiding place for Jusef Erabi

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Jusef Erabi, and the manager let it.

Match

Point won or two lost for Racing Genk?

Ninety minutes, no goals, and the argument started before the car park emptied: a point gained, or two thrown away against Mouscron? Both sides of it will still be going on Thursday.

Market

The Zakaria El Ouahdi story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Zakaria El Ouahdi signs something — a contract at Racing Genk or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

18 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

30 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

Whatever happens, Racing Genk do not lose

10 games unbeaten now. Some were earned and some were survived, but a habit is forming — and habits are the hardest thing in football to play against.

Match

No end in sight to Racing Genk's wait for a win

5 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Racing Genk has to find a result from somewhere.

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

One of those days for Mujaid Sadick

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.73, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Jeppe Erenbjerg

Marked 8.15 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Jarne Steuckers gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Mujaid Sadick

8 goals and a season average of 7.21 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Boardroom

103% of the income goes out in wages at Racing Genk

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Loan watch

Yari Vanderhallen wants to come home

“I did not go to Vitesse to sit and watch. I want to come back to Racing Genk and fight for my place.” 5 appearances in 15 matches say the rest.

In brief

17 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

23 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

9 unbeaten for Racing Genk

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 9 matches without defeat is a foundation Racing Genk did not have in the autumn.

Match

The wait goes on for Racing Genk

4 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for Daan Heymans

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.69, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

Jarne Steuckers runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 18. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Match

Honours even between Racing Genk and KV Oostende

1‑1, and both dressing rooms will call it two points lost. A draw that asked plenty of questions and answered none of them.

Squad

Jusef Erabi suspended

One booking too many, and Jusef Erabi sits out. Racing Genk lose him for the sort of avoidable reason that makes a manager's week longer.

Player ratings

Jusef Erabi leaves them behind him

Shots: 7. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

Squad

Yira Sor knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Racing Genk, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

16 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

16 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

8 unbeaten for Racing Genk

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 8 matches without defeat is a foundation Racing Genk did not have in the autumn.

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Junya Ito in the eights

A performance of 8.75 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jarne Steuckers

Successful dribbles: 19. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Bryan Heynen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Honours even between Racing Genk and Anderlecht

1‑1, and both dressing rooms will call it two points lost. A draw that asked plenty of questions and answered none of them.

In brief

15 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

9 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Hendrik Van Crombrugge

There were 7 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Match

7 unbeaten for Racing Genk

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 7 matches without defeat is a foundation Racing Genk did not have in the autumn.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jarne Steuckers

Successful dribbles: 22. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Jusef Erabi

Marked 8.26 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

No hiding place for Roger Martí

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Roger Martí, and the manager let it.

In brief

14 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

2 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

6 unbeaten for Racing Genk

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 6 matches without defeat is a foundation Racing Genk did not have in the autumn.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jarne Steuckers

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.95, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

No hiding place for Hendrik Van Crombrugge

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hendrik Van Crombrugge, and the manager let it.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jeppe Erenbjerg

Successful dribbles: 17. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Boardroom

103% of the income goes out in wages at Racing Genk

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Squad

Costly mistake from Hendrik Van Crombrugge

An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Hendrik Van Crombrugge knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.

Loan watch

Sebastiaan Timmers has seen enough of Charleroi

“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Racing Genk, and 0 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.

Match

Racing Genk and Sint-Truiden take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

In brief

13 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

26 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Matte Smets shuts the door

Defensive actions: 40, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Hendrik Van Crombrugge keeps Racing Genk in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 11 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Match

Mujaid Sadick leads the rout of Westerlo

3‑0, and Mujaid Sadick took the headlines on an afternoon when everything Racing Genk tried came off. Days like this are retold all winter.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for Daan Heymans

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.26, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for Mujaid Sadick

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.20, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jeppe Erenbjerg

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.84, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

No hiding place for Jusef Erabi

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Jusef Erabi, and the manager let it.

Squad

Daan Heymans is off the mark for Racing Genk

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

In brief

12 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

19 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Adrián Palacios keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Racing Genk may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Daan Heymans

Successful dribbles: 24. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Mujaid Sadick was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Bryan Heynen

Defensive actions: 21. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Jarne Steuckers

Marked 9.10 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Jusef Erabi sends Racing Genk past Waasland-Beveren

It finished 2‑0, and it was Jusef Erabi’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Racing Genk.

Player ratings

Mujaid Sadick shuts the door

Defensive actions: 20, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Loan watch

Yari Vanderhallen wants to come home

“I did not go to Vitesse to sit and watch. I want to come back to Racing Genk and fight for my place.” 3 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.

Squad

No hiding place for Ibrahima Sory Bangoura

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, and the manager let it.

In brief

11 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

12 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Hendrik Van Crombrugge

There were 7 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Match

4 matches without a win for Racing Genk

The run now stands at 4, and the questions being asked around Racing Genk are no longer polite ones.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Jarne Steuckers in the eights

A performance of 8.81 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Yira Sor runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 17. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Match

Racing Genk and Club Brugge take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

In brief

10 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

5 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Daan Heymans runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 22. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jeppe Erenbjerg

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.06, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Boardroom

149% of the income goes out in wages at Racing Genk

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Loan watch

Sebastiaan Timmers wants to come home

“I did not go to Charleroi to sit and watch. I want to come back to Racing Genk and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 5 matches say the rest.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Matte Smets

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Mujaid Sadick in the eights

A performance of 8.80 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Match

Mujaid Sadick rescues a point for Racing Genk

It needed Mujaid Sadick to find the net to bring anything home at all: 2‑2 against KV Mechelen, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.

Player ratings

Jusef Erabi leaves them behind him

Shots: 10. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

In brief

9 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

28 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Racing Genk sink to position 14

7 points, and a fixture list that is running out. The mathematics are not yet cruel, but they are no longer kind.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Noah Adedeji-Sternberg

Successful dribbles: 20. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

One of those days for Mujaid Sadick

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.90, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

No hiding place for Jusef Erabi

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Jusef Erabi, and the manager let it.

Squad

Adrián Palacios signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Adrián Palacios commits to Racing Genk for another 4 years.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jeppe Erenbjerg

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.01, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Racing Genk share the spoils with Standard Liege

A 1‑1 draw with Standard Liege leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.

Player ratings

Jusef Erabi keeps on missing

Shots: 8, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

8 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

21 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

Racing Genk taken apart

0‑3 to KAA Gent, and it was every bit as bad as the number suggests. There are defeats you argue about and defeats you apologise for; this was the second kind.

Squad

Joris Kayembe: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Racing Genk have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Yaimar Medina out for 52 days

The medical room confirms 52 days on the sidelines for Yaimar Medina, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Junya Ito runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 20. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Yaimar Medina

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

7 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

14 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Racing Genk run riot against Lokeren

5‑2, and the margin flattered nobody — it could have carried another goal or two without complaint. Afternoons like this are why people keep coming.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jeppe Erenbjerg

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 10.00, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for Mujaid Sadick

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.13, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Hendrik Van Crombrugge

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Jusef Erabi in the eights

A performance of 8.40 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Jusef Erabi finally opens his account

He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Racing Genk have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.

Squad

Jeppe Erenbjerg finally opens his account

He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Racing Genk have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.

Market

The Zakaria El Ouahdi story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Zakaria El Ouahdi signs something — a contract at Racing Genk or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

6 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

7 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Hendrik Van Crombrugge

There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Player ratings

Daan Heymans runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 21. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Bryan Heynen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

A bad afternoon for Racing Genk against OH Leuven

0‑1 to OH Leuven, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Boardroom

133% of the income goes out in wages at Racing Genk

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Squad

Aaron Bibout in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Boardroom

Doors closed at Racing Genk

The music was off and the showers ran late. What was said in that dressing room stays there, but Saturday will publish the minutes.

Squad

Bryan Heynen loses the armband

The captaincy has been taken off Bryan Heynen. Racing Genk will call it a decision about the team; a dressing room reads it as a verdict on a man.

Player ratings

Mujaid Sadick keeps on missing

Shots: 6, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

5 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

31 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

The cup run ends for Racing Genk

0‑1 against Lokeren, and the road stops here. Cup exits are quick deaths — no second leg, no next week, just the league from now until May.

Squad

Hendrik Van Crombrugge keeps Racing Genk in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Player ratings

Daan Heymans runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 24. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Yira Sor

Marked 9.18 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Racing Genk see off Zulte Waregem

Three points for Racing Genk, 2‑1 the final word against Zulte Waregem in a contest settled by the finer margins.

Squad

Tobias Lawal gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

Jarne Steuckers in the eights

A performance of 8.08 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Boardroom

Inquest at Racing Genk

The manager kept them in and said what needed saying. A response is expected on Saturday, and if it does not come the questions move upstairs.

In brief

4 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

24 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

No end in sight to Racing Genk's wait for a win

4 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Racing Genk has to find a result from somewhere.

Squad

Junya Ito in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Daan Heymans runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 22. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Market

Aaron Murenzi moves on

KV Kortrijk pay $190.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.

Match

Mouscron take the points off Racing Genk

Beaten 1‑2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Mujaid Sadick

Marked 8.20 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Jarne Steuckers

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Boardroom

Doors closed at Racing Genk

The music was off and the showers ran late. What was said in that dressing room stays there, but Saturday will publish the minutes.

Squad

Hendrik Van Crombrugge lets one through his hands

A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.

In brief

3 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

17 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jarne Steuckers

Successful dribbles: 23. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Junya Ito was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Jusef Erabi gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Racing Genk come up short against KV Kortrijk

KV Kortrijk left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Boardroom

Nobody left the Racing Genk dressing room in a hurry

The door stayed shut a long time after the final whistle. What was said in there is between them; whether it worked is between them and Saturday.

Market

The Zakaria El Ouahdi story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Zakaria El Ouahdi signs something — a contract at Racing Genk or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

Player ratings

Jusef Erabi never got going

5.53 on the card. Some afternoons a footballer looks like a man who has only just been introduced to the game, and this was one of them.

Player ratings

Aaron Bibout never got going

5.68 on the card. Some afternoons a footballer looks like a man who has only just been introduced to the game, and this was one of them.

Squad

A wage question at Racing Genk

Tobias Lawal has done the arithmetic and does not like the answer. Nothing corrodes a squad faster, and no club has ever solved it by explaining the wage structure to a footballer.

In brief

2 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

10 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Hendrik Van Crombrugge

There were 9 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Market

Racing Genk say no — this time

The offer from Mouscron for Adrián Palacios was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.

Squad

Daan Heymans stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Daan Heymans and Racing Genk agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Tempers go at Racing Genk

Zakaria El Ouahdi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Vitesse join the queue for Yari Vanderhallen

Add another name to the list: Vitesse have asked the question everybody in the game has been asking about Yari Vanderhallen. The answer from Racing Genk has not changed — yet.

Squad

Zakaria El Ouahdi gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

A bad afternoon for Racing Genk against KV Oostende

0‑1 to KV Oostende, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Yira Sor

Successful dribbles: 18. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Boardroom

Nobody left the Racing Genk dressing room in a hurry

The door stayed shut a long time after the final whistle. What was said in there is between them; whether it worked is between them and Saturday.

In brief

1 Edition

The Racing Genk Courier

3 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Squad

Bryan Heynen has been here 11 seasons

252 appearances across 11 seasons in one shirt. Nobody builds a career like that on purpose any more; it happens to a certain kind of footballer at a certain kind of club.

Player ratings

Yira Sor runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 25. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Hendrik Van Crombrugge stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Hendrik Van Crombrugge and Racing Genk agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Zakaria El Ouahdi in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Racing Genk this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Market

Mouscron watching Adrián Palacios

The interest is real enough to have reached print. Racing Genk have said nothing, which in a transfer window is its own kind of answer.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Hendrik Van Crombrugge

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

A bad afternoon for Racing Genk against Anderlecht

0‑1 to Anderlecht, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Market

The clock runs on Hendrik Van Crombrugge's contract

24 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.

Market

Still no ink between Racing Genk and Joris Kayembe

“We keep meeting, and we keep leaving the room with the same numbers we walked in with.” Another round of talks at Racing Genk, another week without a signature from Joris Kayembe.

In brief