Can former Liverpool favourite Dirk Kuyt survive Beerschot’s poor start to the season? | OneFootball

Its fair to say that Beerschot have suffered a pretty torrid start to life back in the Belgian Pro League. After an opening day draw to OH Leuven they have lost five games in a row, including against fellow promoted side Dender last weekend. While their promotion companions sit pretty on top of the table, they are rock bottom. After six games the side have scored six but conceded 14.

Pressure is beginning to mount on head coach Dirk Kuyt. The former Liverpool favourite took over midway through last season with the side top of the league. Andreas Wieland had guided the side to an unlikely first place in the Challenger Pro League before leaving for the Technical Director role at LASK. In 14 games that season he averaged 1.86 points, winning eight, drawing two and losing four. In his 14 games in charge last season, Kuyt won seven, drew three and lost four, averaging 1.71 points per game. Clearly, the drop off was not massive.

However, the side have been poor this season. In their six games they appear to lack balance and ideas. While their transfer activity has been slow, which certainly hasn’t helped Kuyt, their on the pitch performances are concerning. Against Standard Liege they barely threatened, and while they did then go down to 10 men it appeared they had not real plan for how to get back into the game a man down. There are some decent players in the squad, but so far they haven’t been able to perform.

Kuyt was rumored to be considering leaving the side in the summer. The uncertainty over the ownership and who would be the Sporting Director was clearly a frustration. This has since been sorted out, with the Sheffield United linked ownership remaining in control, but it also had an impact on transfers. There is still some time with the window shutting later in Belgium than elsewhere, but not much time. Kuyt may well have to work with what he has at his disposal and hope that he can turn things around.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson