"We are not interested in becoming a youth champion"

YOUTH Only two youth teams from Anderlecht became champions of Belgium last season: the U13 and U14. In the oldest youth series, the title went to Racing Genk. Youth coordinator Jean Kindermans does not mind this at all.


With Anderlecht's youth, the result no longer prevails. The goal is to bring as many youth players as possible into the first team. "We do not care how many youth teams become champions. They are immediately forgotten," says Kindermans. "Players who move on to the A-team, that remains. Just like a player who is elected Young Professional Footballer of the Year. That is how you make long-term propaganda."

More than ever, Anderlecht are betting on a carefully developed project that will lead the best youth players to the first team. Kindermans hopes that this will keep them at Anderlecht. "We cannot offer with the amount of signing money and salary as German and English clubs do. We can offer a player a contract with the prospect of becoming a professional. That is our policy plan."