Van den Brom definitely leaves FC Utrecht behind for Genk

The transfer from John van den Brom to Racing Genk has been completed. FC Utrecht is announcing through official channels that an agreement has been found with the Belgian club about the settlement of the contract of the coach in the Dom City, which is still running until 2022. At the same time, FC Utrecht ensures that René Hake and Rick Kruys will take over the tasks of Van den Brom in the ‘coming period’.

Various Dutch and Belgian media reported on Friday that the switch from Van den Brom to Genk was a success. The 54-year-old trainer also arrived in Belgium and said that ‘everything would be fine’. That eventually happened, because FC Utrecht and Genk announce their departure from the Dom City on Saturday morning. Van den Brom takes Dennis Haar to Genk as an assistant coach and signs a contract with the Belgian club until mid-2023.

“Of course we think it’s a shame that we have to say goodbye to a trainer with whom we have made a long-term plan. Last season ended with a bitter aftertaste, but it brought us several highlights. The semifinal of the TOTO KNVB Cup was an absolute highlight ”, technical director Jordy Zuidam says on the FC Utrecht website.

“From the moment we heard about KRC Genk’s interest in John, it all went very quickly. John himself immediately indicated that he wanted to take his chance in Belgium and KRC Genk met our requirements in terms of compensation for his ongoing contract here. A suitable solution has also been found for Dennis Haar’s contract, ”Zuidam continues. FC Utrecht is reportedly left with half a million euros from the departure of Van den Brom. Hake and Kruys will take over Van den Brom’s duties for the time being. The former was trainer of Jong FC Utrecht and Ab Plugboer is currently taking over the helm at the U23 team.

“Saying goodbye to a trainer and assistant trainer during the season requires quick switching on our part. We are pleased that René Hake and Rick Kruys have a good interpretation for the coming period ”, Zuidam explains. “We will use the coming period to see how we will shape the future. We would of course like to thank John and Dennis for their time at FC Utrecht and wish them every success in their further career. ”

It is the second time that Van den Brom starts working in the Belgian Pro League. Between 2012 and 2014 he was at the helm of Anderlecht, which under his leadership won the national title in 2013. In his second year in Brussels, he had to leave after some disappointing results. Van den Brom previously worked in his coaching career at ADO Den Haag, Vitesse and AZ, among others. The 54-year-old trainer had been employed by FC Utrecht, the current number eight in the Eredivisie, since mid-2019.