Westerlo Considers Striker Coach to Boost Pro League Performance
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Westerlo, currently ranked third in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, is exploring the possibility of hiring a dedicated striker coach to address a recent scoring drought. This comes after a Saturday loss to KV Mechelen, marking the first game this season where the team failed to find the net.
Despite having scored five goals in previous matches – two against Anderlecht and three against Zulte Waregem – Westerlo’s attack has stalled. Analyst Patrick Goots, speaking to Gazet van Antwerpen, suggested mirroring the triumphant approach of Union SG, who employed Kevin Mirallas, by bringing in a specialist to hone the team’s finishing skills.
The Case for a Dedicated Striker Coach
Goots emphasized the importance of a specialized role,noting that Westerlo already employs both a goalkeeper coach and a line coach. He believes an experienced former striker could substantially impact the team’s offensive output. “If you have a goalkeeper coach and a line coach in the house,an experienced ex-striker can also make a difference in the staff,” Goots stated.
He specifically proposed former Belgian international Kevin Vandenbergh as an ideal candidate. Vandenbergh, who previously played for Westerlo, is currently coaching houtvenne. Goots envisions Vandenbergh providing targeted training to Westerlo’s strikers twice a week, leveraging his expertise to improve their technique and tactical awareness.
Vandenbergh enjoyed a successful career, playing for clubs including Genk, Standard Liège, and Westerlo, earning 24 caps for the Belgian national team. His experience and understanding of the game could prove invaluable to Westerlo’s attacking players.
The Growing Trend of specialist Coaching Roles in Football
The increasing specialization of coaching roles is a growing trend in modern football. Clubs are recognizing the benefits of dedicated coaches for specific areas of the game, such as set-pieces, attacking transitions, and individual skill progress. This reflects a broader emphasis on data-driven analysis and optimizing performance in all aspects of the sport. Historically,coaching was a more generalized role,but the demands of the professional game now require a more nuanced and focused approach.
The Jupiler Pro League, like many European leagues, is witnessing this shift. Teams are investing in specialized staff to gain a competitive edge, especially in areas where marginal gains can make a significant difference. The success of Union SG with Kevin Mirallas demonstrates the potential impact of a dedicated striker coach.
Frequently Asked Questions about Westerlo’s Potential Striker Coach
- Why is Westerlo considering a striker coach? Westerlo is looking to improve their scoring record after a recent game where they failed to score against KV Mechelen, despite previously scoring in other matches.
- Who has been suggested as a potential striker coach for Westerlo? Patrick Goots has proposed Kevin Vandenbergh, a former Westerlo player and Belgian international, for the role.
- What is Kevin Vandenbergh currently doing? Vandenbergh is currently coaching the team Houtvenne.
- What is the benefit of having a dedicated striker coach? A specialist coach can provide focused training and improve the technique and tactical awareness of the team’s strikers.
- Is this a common trend in the Jupiler Pro League? Yes, the trend of hiring specialist coaches for specific areas of the game is growing in the Jupiler Pro League and across European football.
- How many goals has Westerlo scored in the Jupiler Pro League this season? Westerlo has scored five goals in the Jupiler Pro League this season, prior to the match against KV Mechelen.
- What is Patrick goots’ role in this discussion? Patrick Goots is a football analyst who suggested the idea of hiring a striker coach and proposed Kevin Vandenbergh as a candidate.
