Brugge sack Hayen ahead of Champions League clash with Arsenal

Club Brugge have announced the sacking of manager Nicky Hayen just two days before welcoming Arsenal to Jan Breydelstadion in the Champions League.

Hayen, who was appointed as the club’s permanent boss in June 2024 after a successful stint in interim charge, has been replaced by former Brugge boss Ivan Leko.

The 45-year-old’s time at the club came to a close after a run of three defeats in their last four matches in all competitions, the latest coming in a 3-2 loss to St. Truidense.

Brugge are third in the Belgium Pro League table but five points adrift of leaders Union Saint-Gilloise, while they sit 26th in the 36-team table in the Champions League.

Overall, Hayen won 52 of his 88 matches in charge across all competitions (D16 L20), though his successor Leko faces a stern test upon his return to the Brugge dugout.

Club neemt afscheid van Nicky Hayen als hoofdcoach. Ivan Leko vervangt hem als hoofdcoach van Blauw-Zwart.

Club wil Nicky van harte bedanken voor zijn harde werk de afgelopen periode en wenst hem het allerbeste in de toekomst. pic.twitter.com/q0thlsyzkt

— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) December 8, 2025

Leko managed Brugge from 2017 until 2019, leading the club to the Pro League title and Belgian Super Cup during his first season at the helm.

Brugge have faced 12 different English sides in European competition, but this will be their first meeting with Arsenal.

They have won one of their last 18 matches against English opposition (D3 L14), although that win came in the Champions League last term (1-0 v Aston Villa in November 2024).

But Brugge’s problems in the Champions League have been in defence. They have conceded 24 goals in 11 games in 2025, with only Barcelona (27 in 13 games) conceding more.

Brugge have also faced the joint most shots on target (73) and the most expected goals against (23.5 xGA) of any side in the competition this calendar year.