Another season where Union St Gilloise almost ended their decades long wait to add another top flight title to the trophy cabinet. They did, however, manage to win the domestic cup for the first time in over 100 years. It is another summer of change at the club, with key strikers leaving and a new head coach after Alexander Blessin departed for St Pauli. In comes Sebastien Pocognoli in his first head coaching role. Can he keep up the unprecedented success of the Brussels side in recent years?
Last seasons position: 2nd
Transfers in: Mohammed Fuseini (Sturm Graz), Anouar Ait El Hadj (Genk), Proise David (Kalju FC), Kamiel van De Perre (Genk), Vic Chambaere (Genk), Anan Khalaili (Maccabi Haifa)
Transfers out: Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Mohamed Amoura (VFL Wolfsburg), Viktor Boone (Lierse), Nathan Huygevelde (Kortrijk, loan), Maxime Wenssens (free)
Overview:
Union have been one of the best sides in Belgium at ensuring there is a successor to any key player that leaves in the summer. Last season, Nilsson and Amoura replaced Boniface, this year it will be Fuseini who is the one tasked with filling the void. Dennis Eckert and Kevin Rodriguez will also be expected to help out, and both showed last season that they are capable of doing so.
One area that was of concern to end the season was the goalkeeper. Anthony Moris showed signs of decline and some expected the side to bring in a goalkeeper ready to take his spot. However, it is unlikely that Chambaere takes his space to start the season. One player to keep an eye on before the end of the window is Cameron Puertas. He was the sides best player last season and should be gathering lots of interest from clubs outside Belgium. Replacing him will be difficult, but Union have shown before that they always have a succession plan.
Will this be the season they finally aren’t able to maintain success? Or will we be talking about the amazing job Pocognoli and the scouting department have done again this time next year. The side already have one trophy in the bank, having beaten Club Brugge in the Supercup.
