Club NXT will return to the D1B Pro League next season after taking part two years ago and will be joined by three other elite club hopefuls, those of Genk, Anderlecht and Standard. The 41-year-old from Limburg played more than 250 games in Division 1, mainly for Saint-Trond between 1997 and 2008. Nicky Hayen then took on a career as a coach, notably passing through Saint-Trond where he was assistant and Waasland -Beveren as head coach. He officiated last season in Wales where he became head coach at Haverfordwest at the start of the year.
Nicky Hayen takes over from Rik De Mil, who becomes assistant to Carl Hoefkens, the new coach of the Belgian champions.
Last week, Guilian Preud’homme, the son of former coach Michel Preud’homme, was appointed general manager of the U23s and women’s team in Bruges.