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.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” KV Mechelen have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 2 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
A season average of 7.03 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. KV Mechelen know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 1 appearances in 6 say he has earned the hearing.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 4 appearances in 16 say he has earned the hearing.
The award is a small thing with a heavy meaning: for four weeks nobody in this division did his job better. KV Mechelen have the trophy on a shelf and the player in the side.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” KV Mechelen have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. KV Mechelen have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
A 3-1 win over Zulte Waregem, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The award is a small thing with a heavy meaning: for four weeks nobody in this division did his job better. KV Mechelen have the trophy on a shelf and the player in the side.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
KV Kortrijk go through and KV Mechelen go home, 0-1 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.
The terraces30 Aug 2027
The ground has had enough
“We travel everywhere and we get this.” 7 of the 31 senior players heard it walking off, and the ones who did not hear it were not playing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” KV Mechelen have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Mohammed El Âdfaoui is 19, and KV Mechelen have signed him for the player he will be rather than the one he is. The first team can wait; the point of a deal like this is the years it buys.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Nacho Miras knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
The fee is $1.8M, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. KV Kortrijk drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
The name of Massimo Decoene has come up in conversations KV Mechelen were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. KV Mechelen have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Brian Madjo
“I want to win things, and I would like to do it here.” Nothing has been demanded and nothing has been threatened — but a boardroom at KV Mechelen hears a sentence like that exactly as it was built.
The shirt still fits. Laurent Mertens is back at KV Mechelen, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what KV Mechelen can pretend not to have heard.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Myron van Brederode plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Myron van Brederode and KV Mechelen agree another 5 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Pascal Stenzel plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
The minutes were not coming at KV Mechelen, so he will look for them at Club Brugge. Everybody involved calls it development; for the player it is simply a chance to play.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Maximiliano Caufriez plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Benito Raman has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 3 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Pascal Stenzel has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 3 appearances in 15 say he has earned the hearing.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Ortwin De Wolf has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 1 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Tommy St. Jago plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Benito Raman has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
He came through the session, took part in everything and finished it smiling. KV Mechelen will not rush him, and he will spend the next fortnight trying to rush them.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 3 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Pascal Stenzel plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Fredrik Hammar has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what KV Mechelen can pretend not to have heard.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Tommy St. Jago plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“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 KV Mechelen, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at KV Mechelen pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Bill Antonio suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. KV Mechelen have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what KV Mechelen can pretend not to have heard.
“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.
Boardroom25 Jan 2027
95% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at KV Mechelen has been clear about where Mateus Sousa Alves stands, which is more than many ever get.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” KV Mechelen have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The name of Sam Hendriks has come up in conversations KV Mechelen were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
The fee is $620.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. OH Leuven drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at KV Mechelen has been clear about where Massimo Decoene stands, which is more than many ever get.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what KV Mechelen can pretend not to have heard.
3-0, and the margin flattered nobody — it could have carried another goal or two without complaint. Afternoons like this are why people keep coming.
Boardroom28 Dec 2026
177% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Ortwin De Wolf knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Fredrik Hammar has let it be known that he does not like the way KV Mechelen are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Ortwin De Wolf: 1 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
Boardroom30 Nov 2026
209% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A 3-2 win over Waasland-Beveren, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
Boardroom2 Nov 2026
209% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Benito Raman has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. KV Mechelen know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A season average of 7.00 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. KV Mechelen know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
A 1-0 win over Standard Liege, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 7 of the 28 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
“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.
Boardroom5 Oct 2026
350% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Ortwin De Wolf knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Bilal Bafdili
Every debut is a small story about the future: Mauro Lenaerts, 19 years old, off the academy pitches and into the first team. The parents in the stand will keep the programme.
1-2 to Mouscron, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.
Boardroom7 Sep 2026
251% of the income goes out in wages at KV Mechelen
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.
KV Kortrijk will want this one forgotten quickly: 3-0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. KV Mechelen were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
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.
A new face in his position, and Axel Witsel suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. KV Mechelen have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.
36 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.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Ortwin De Wolf knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at KV Mechelen, and both men came out saying it was fine.