Club Brugge fires coach Ronny Deila ahead of playoffs in Belgium
Club Brugge coach Ronny Deila attends a press conference in Bodo, Norway, Wednesday Oct. 4, 2023. Club Brugge said on Monday, March 18, 2024, it has fired coach Ronny Deila after less than a season in charge. Credit: AP/Mats Torbergsen
BRUSSELS — Belgian soccer club Club Brugge fired coach Ronny Deila on Monday after less than a season in charge.
The former Celtic coach was fired in the wake of Brugge’s 2-1 loss to STVV on the final day of the regular season Sunday, despite still being involved in a European competition.
Brugge, which has qualified for the league playoffs, said it parted ways with the 48-year-old Norwegian because of “underwhelming results and a disappointing level of play.”
Brugge appointed caretaker Nicky Hayen — who was in charge of the club’s reserve team — while the 18-time Belgian champions look for a new coach for next season.
Deila led New York City FC to the MLS title in December 2021 before taking over Standard Liege the following summer.
Club Brugge under Deila advanced last week to the quarterfinals of the Europa Conference League, the third-tier UEFA club competition.
The team will host PAOK in the first leg on April 11 and play the return match in Greece one week later.
Brugge's Michal Skoras celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Europa Conference League Round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Club Brugge and Molde at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, Belgium, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
