Georges Leekens

Georges Leekens (born 18 May 1949) is a Belgian football manager and former player. During his managerial career, he oversaw four national football teams: the Belgian, Tunisian, Algerian and Hungarian national football teams. He also managed numerous clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Tunisia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Playing career

Leekens debuted as a footballer in 1967 with Sporting Houthalen after leaving the lower ranks of the club. He played as a defender. In 1969, he signed for one year with KFC Dessel Sport. After a brief stint at Crossing Club, he was transferred to Club Brugge. With the team, he reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in 1978 against Liverpool in Wembley Stadium in London, where a single goal defeated them. He also won five Belgian leagues, a Belgian Cup and a Belgian Super Cup in 1980, one year before joining Sint-Niklase, where he retired from football in 1984.

Coaching career

Beginning

The same year of his retirement, Cercle Brugge signed him as coach for the next three seasons, eventually winning the Belgian Cup a year later. The same title was won with RSC Anderlecht three years after winning it with the Cercle Brugge. After training KV Kortrijk, he came to Club Brugge to win the Belgian League, the Belgian Super Cup in 1990, the Belgian Cup and again the Belgian Super Cup in 1991. He also trained KV Mechelen and Trabzonspor, before returning to the Cercle Brugge and Royal Charleroi and signing for the RE Mouscron, which was promoted to the Belgian First Division after finishing first in the Belgian Second Division.