Mirror Image: Kortrijk follow sister club Cardiff City in relegation woes | OneFootball

Despite a 2-0 victory over Cercle Brugge at the weekend, Kortrijk were officially relegated from the Belgian Pro League yesterday afternoon. Sint Truiden’s 2-1 victory over Beerschot meant that the side cannot avoid finishing second bottom. Their 17 year stay in the top flight has finally come to an end. They follow in the footsteps of sister side Cardiff City, who were also relegated from the Championship this season. For owner Vincent Tan, the relegation of Kortrijk can hardly have come as much of a surprise.

Tan had been trying to sell the side last season, and his fumbling of the situation meant that they started the season way behind the rest of the league. Freyr Alexandersson came in late to somehow rescue them, but this year there was to be no saving the side. Bernd Storck gave the side a fighting chance, but it was too little too late. Had Storck been brought in earlier, they may well have had a chance of staying in the Pro League.

Relegation will likely see Tan go back to trying to sell the club. However, potential buyers that were there a season or two ago will likely not be as interested in a second tier side. Lower income from the TV deal and sponsorship means that, for most clubs, they are run at a loss in the second tier if they want to get promoted. Many of the squad will likely be moving on as well, so a full rebuild will be on the cards over the summer.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson