2016–17 in Belgian football


The following article is a summary of the 2016–17 football season in Belgium, which is the 114th season of competitive football in the country and runs from July 2016 until June 2017.

National teams

Belgium national football team

The Belgium national football team started their qualification campaign, winning 5 matches easily but needing a last minute equalizer at home against Greece to remain undefeated. They were less successful in friendlies, with two draws and one loss.

[2018 [FIFA World Cup qualification]]

Friendlies

Belgium women's national football team

Men's football

League season

Promotion and relegation

The following teams had achieved promotion or suffered relegation going into the 2016–17 season.
LeaguePromoted to leagueRelegated from league
First Division A
  • OH Leuven
    • First Division B
  • none
  • WS Brussels
  • Dessel Sport
  • Seraing United
  • Virton
  • ASV Geel
  • Deinze
  • Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
  • Heist
  • Coxyde

    • Belgian First Division A

    Anderlecht secured its 34th championship, denying Club Brugge a second consecutive title. Oostende qualified for the first time for European football while Westerlo was relegated at the bottom end of the table.
    Regular season
    Championship play-offs

    Belgian First Division B

    In the opening tournament, Roeselare edged out Lierse to assure its place in the promotion play-offs. In the closing tournament, Lierse competed with Antwerp for the lead, with Lierse being overtaken by Antwerp on the final matchday. Therefore, Lierse, who scored the most points overall, did not qualify for the promotion play-offs which were instead played by Roeselare and Antwerp. Antwerp beat Roeselare twice and returned to the highest level of Belgian football after thirteen seasons at the second level. Roeselare did qualify for the Europa League play-offs together with Lierse and Union SG. At the bottom end, Lommel United was relegated.
    Aggregate table
    Promotion play-offs
    Antwerp twice beat Roeselare and thereby allowed the club to return to the highest level of professional football in Belgium following thirteen seasons at the second level. Initially, they did not receive a license to compete in professional football the following season, but the decision was overturned. Roeselare got to play the Europa League play-offs.
    ----
    Antwerp won 5–2 on aggregate and was promoted.
    Relegation play-offs
    The four bottom teams overall competed in the relegation play-offs. In spite of a strong comeback, Lommel United was relegated finally on the last matchday after losing away to OH Leuven.

    Belgian First Amateur Division

    Belgian Second Amateur Division

    Division A
    Division B
    Division C

    Belgian Third Amateur Division

    Division A
    Division B
    Division C
    Division D

    Cup competitions

    Transfers

    UEFA competitions

    Champions Club Brugge qualified directly for the group stage of the Champions League, while runners-up Anderlecht started in the qualifying rounds. As cup winner, Standard Liège qualified directly for the group stage of the Europa League, while Gent and Genk started in the qualifying rounds.
    Overall, Belgian football clubs performed very strongly during the 2016–17 season, with both Anderlecht, Genk and Gent still active after the winter break and going very far in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, more specifically it was the first time since the 1993–94 season that three Belgian clubs reached the last 16 in Europe in the same season.
    DateTeamCompetitionRoundLegOpponentLocationScoreBelgian Team Goalscorers
    14 July 2016GenkEuropa LeagueQual. Round 2Leg 1, Home Budućnost PodgoricaLuminus Arena, GenkKebano, Samatta
    21 July 2016GenkEuropa LeagueQual. Round 2Leg 2, Away Budućnost PodgoricaPodgorica City Stadium, Podgorica
    26 July 2016AnderlechtChampions LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 1, Away RostovOlimp-2, Rostov-on-Don2–2Hanni, Tielemans
    28 July 2016GenkEuropa LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 1, Home Cork CityLuminus Arena, GenkBailey
    28 July 2016GentEuropa LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 1, Home Viitorul ConstanțaGhelamco Arena, GhentMitrović, Coulibaly, Depoitre, Neto
    3 August 2016AnderlechtChampions LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 2, Home RostovConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht
    4 August 2016GenkEuropa LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 2, Away Cork CityTurners Cross, CorkBuffel, Dewaest
    4 August 2016GentEuropa LeagueQual. Round 3Leg 2, Away Viitorul ConstanțaStadionul Viitorul, Ovidiu0–0
    18 August 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 1, Away Slavia PragueEden Arena, PragueSylla, Teodorczyk, Hanni
    18 August 2016GenkEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 1, Away LokomotivaStadion Maksimir, Zagreb2–2Bailey, Samatta
    18 August 2016GentEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 1, Home ShkëndijaGhelamco Arena, GhentMatton, Coulibaly
    25 August 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 2, Home Slavia PragueConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtTielemans, Teodorczyk, Heylen
    25 August 2016GenkEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 2, Home LokomotivaLuminus Arena, GenkSamatta, Bailey
    25 August 2016GentEuropa LeaguePlay-off roundLeg 2, Away ShkëndijaPhilip II Arena, SkopjeMatton, Coulibaly
    14 September 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 1, Home Leicester CityJan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
    15 September 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 1, Home GabalaConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtTeodorczyk, Rafael, Capel
    15 September 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 1, Away Rapid WienAllianz Stadion, ViennaBailey
    15 September 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 1, Away BragaEstádio Municipal de Braga, Braga1–1Milićević
    15 September 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 1, Home Celta VigoStade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège1–1Dossevi
    27 September 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 2, Away CopenhagenParken Stadium, Copenhagen
    29 September 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 2, Away Saint-ÉtienneStade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne1–1Tielemans
    29 September 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 2, Home SassuoloLuminus Arena, GenkKarelis, Bailey, Buffel
    29 September 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 2, Home KonyasporGhelamco Arena, GhentSayef, Neto
    29 September 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 2, Away AjaxAmsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
    18 October 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 3, Home PortoJan Breydel Stadium, BrugesVossen
    20 October 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 3, Away MainzOpel Arena, Mainz1–1Teodorczyk
    20 October 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 3, Home Athletic BilbaoLuminus Arena, GenkBrabec, Ndidi
    20 October 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 3, Away Shakhtar DonetskArena Lviv, Lviv
    20 October 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 3, Home PanathinaikosStade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège2–2Edmilson, Belfodil
    2 November 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 4, Away PortoEstádio do Dragão, Porto
    3 November 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 4, Home MainzConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtStanciu, Tielemans, Teodorczyk, Bruno
    3 November 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 4, Away Athletic BilbaoSan Mamés, BilbaoBailey, Ndidi, Sušić
    3 November 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 4, Home Shakhtar DonetskGhelamco Arena, GhentCoulibaly, Perbet, Milićević
    3 November 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 4, Away PanathinaikosApostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, AthensCissé, Belfodil
    22 November 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 5, Away Leicester CityKing Power Stadium, LeicesterIzquierdo
    24 November 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 5, Away GabalaBakcell Arena, BakuTielemans, Bruno, Teodorczyk
    24 November 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 5, Home Rapid WienLuminus Arena, GenkKarelis
    24 November 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 5, Home BragaGhelamco Arena, Ghent2–2Coulibaly, Milićević
    24 November 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 5, Away Celta VigoBalaídos, Vigo1–1Laifis
    7 December 2016Club BruggeChampions LeagueGroup StageMatchday 6, Home CopenhagenJan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
    8 December 2016AnderlechtEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 6, Home Saint-ÉtienneConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtChipciu, Stanciu
    8 December 2016GentEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 6, Away KonyasporTorku Arena, KonyaCoulibaly
    8 December 2016Standard LiègeEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 6, Home AjaxStade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège1–1Raman
    9 December 2016GenkEuropa LeagueGroup StageMatchday 6, Away SassuoloMapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Reggio EmiliaHeynen, Trossard
    16 February 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 1, Home Zenit Saint PetersburgConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtAcheampong
    16 February 2017GenkEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 1, Away Astra GiurgiuStadionul Marin Anastasovici, Giurgiu2–2Castagne, Trossard
    16 February 2017GentEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 1, Home Tottenham HotspurGhelamco Arena, GhentPerbet
    23 February 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 2, Away Zenit Saint PetersburgPetrovsky Stadium, Saint PetersburgKiese Thelin
    23 February 2017GenkEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 2, Home Astra GiurgiuLuminus Arena, GenkPozuelo
    23 February 2017GentEuropa LeagueRound of 32Leg 2, Away Tottenham HotspurWembley Stadium, London2–2Kane, Perbet
    9 March 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 1, Away APOELGSP Stadium, NicosiaStanciu
    9 March 2017GenkEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 1, Away GentGhelamco Arena, GhentMalinovskyi, Colley, Samatta, Uronen
    9 March 2017GentEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 1, Home GenkGhelamco Arena, GhentKalu, Coulibaly
    16 March 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 2, Home APOELConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, AnderlechtAcheampong
    16 March 2017GenkEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 2, Home GentLuminus Arena, Genk1–1Castagne
    16 March 2017GentEuropa LeagueRound of 16Leg 2, Away GenkLuminus Arena, Genk1–1L. Verstraete
    13 April 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueQuarter-finalsLeg 1, Home Manchester UnitedConstant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht1–1Dendoncker
    13 April 2017GenkEuropa LeagueQuarter-finalsLeg 1, Away Celta VigoBalaídos, VigoBoëtius, Buffel
    20 April 2017AnderlechtEuropa LeagueQuarter-finalsLeg 2, Away Manchester UnitedOld Trafford, ManchesterHanni
    20 April 2017GenkEuropa LeagueQuarter-finalsLeg 2, Home Celta VigoLuminus Arena, Genk1–1Trossard

    European qualification for 2017–18 summary

    Managerial changes

    This is a list of changes of managers within Belgian professional league football :
    TeamDivisionOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPositionReplaced byDate of appointment
    Sint-TruidenBelgian First Division A Chris O'LoughlinSackedEnd of 2015–16 seasonPre-season Ivan Leko14 April 2016
    AntwerpBelgian First Division B David GevaertSackedEnd of 2015–16 seasonPre-season Frederik Vanderbiest19 May 2016
    AnderlechtBelgian First Division A Besnik HasiMutual consentEnd of 2015–16 seasonPre-season René Weiler21 June 2016
    KortrijkBelgian First Division A Patrick De WildeMutual consentEnd of 2015–16 seasonPre-season Karim Belhocine1 July 2016
    Cercle BruggeBelgian First Division B Frederik VanderbiestMutual consent18 May 2016Pre-season Vincent Euvrard25 May 2016
    RoeselareBelgian First Division B Franky Van der ElstMutual consent18 May 2016Pre-season Arnauld Mercier25 May 2016
    TubizeBelgian First Division B Colbert MarlotMutual consent8 June 2016Pre-season Thierry Goudet8 June 2016
    TubizeBelgian First Division B Thierry GoudetSacked17 August 20168th Régis Brouard28 August 2016
    KortrijkBelgian First Division A Karim BelhocineDid not possess Pro-licence diploma29 August 20168th Bart Van Lancker29 August 2016
    Standard LiègeBelgian First Division A Yannick FerreraSacked6 September 201610th Aleksandar Janković6 September 2016
    MechelenBelgian First Division A Aleksandar JankovićSigned by Standard Liège6 September 20167th Yannick Ferrera12 September 2016
    WesterloBelgian First Division A Bob PeetersSacked13 September 201616th Jacky Mathijssen14 September 2016
    Lommel UnitedBelgian First Division B Karel FraeyeSacked8 October 20168th Walter Meeuws20 October 2016
    AntwerpBelgian First Division B Frederik VanderbiestSacked11 October 20164th David Gevaert15 October 2016
    LokerenBelgian First Division A Georges LeekensSacked26 October 201612th Rúnar Kristinsson28 October 2016
    Waasland-BeverenBelgian First Division A Stijn VrevenSacked28 October 201614th Čedomir Janevski7 November 2016
    Cercle BruggeBelgian First Division B Vincent EuvrardSacked29 October 20167th José Riga1 November 2016
    AntwerpBelgian First Division B David GevaertResigned10 November 20163rd Wim De Decker17 November 2016
    Lommel UnitedBelgian First Division B Walter MeeuwsSacked23 November 2016Closing tournament: 6th
    Overall: 8th    		 Tom Van Imschoot23 November 2016
    Excel MouscronBelgian First Division A Glen De BoeckSacked5 December 201615th Mircea Rednic6 December 2016
    GenkBelgian First Division A Peter MaesSacked26 December 20169th Albert Stuivenberg27 December 2016
    OH LeuvenBelgian First Division B Emilio FerreraSacked15 January 2017Closing tournament: 6th
    Overall: 5th    		 Dennis van Wijk19 January 2017
    KortrijkBelgian First Division A Bart Van LanckerBelhocine obtained Pro-licence diploma8 March 201710th Karim Belhocine8 March 2017
    LierseBelgian First Division B Eric Van MeirSacked15 March 2017Closing tournament: 2nd
    Overall: 1st    		 Frederik Vanderbiest17 March 2017
    Standard LiègeBelgian First Division A Aleksandar JankovićSacked17 April 2017Regular season: 9th
    Europa League POs: 5th    		 José Jeunechamps 17 April 2017
    TubizeBelgian First Division B Régis BrouardSacked21 April 2017Relegation play-offs: 2nd Sadio Demba3 May 2017