This just in

In earlier days, Jean-Marie appeared in FC Köln’s and Schwarz-Weiss Köln’s line-up, and as a coach he handled KV Kortrijk’s youth, and Oostduinkerke’s first team. In 2008, he opted of a change in his career by taking on the job as T1 at Famkes Merkem, a Ladies team. He continues this career at Club Brugge as of this season.

"Our first ambition: a place in the top 6 "

How do you look back at the preparations?
“It took some finding our way at First. We have a new team, and furthermore it’s not all that easy to be taking the step towards the top in Belgium. Once we took that hurdle, things started getting better, and we have been able to make quite some progress as a team. All in all, I feel that everything went smooth. We only lost once, that should lift our confidence. But dress rehearsals are never like the real thing.”
The opener of the league puts you up against STVV, last year’s champions. What do you expcet of this game?
“I always go for the win! (laughst) We always stand a chance, that’s the beauty of this sport, it’s not exact science. I’m sure that my team will be very motivated. How can it be different if you can wear these beautiful club colours. If everyone is well-focused, I reckon we should be able to claim a good result against Sint-Truiden. We are aiming at a place in the top 6 this season. Seems like a realistic goal to me, but I’m convinced that many other teams also set their minds on this goal.”
This season’s First division will harbour 14 teams. What do you think of the Women’s Elite League (with fewer teams, edit) which might be founded next season?
“I’m definitely pro. The only way to get some progress in Women’s football is an elite league with fewer teams. This allows for games at a higher level. I do hope that this new formula will be set up next season.”
Is playing under the wings of a first division team different for a ladies team?
“It sure is, I think it’s a very positive trend! The entourage is tops and when necessary, I have the right people to fall back on. We have undergone all kinds of tests with physical coach Jan Van Winckel and  the medical staff is also fabulous. That’s a new given for the world of women’s football. I have to thank Club for their efforts towards the Ladies; without them we would have had a stand-still. The support of Ladies football is a grand initiative by the president, and as a result the entirety of Club Brugge. The other side of the medal may be that the ladies now have a lot of competition. They should learn to cope with that. Before this season, there was hardly any competition, now we have a group of twenty players. Only fifteen can be selected, and eleven can be lined up. They all have to fight for their place in the starting line-up. But that has a positive side to it too. It forces all of them to go 100%.”
You also trained Men’s teams in the past. What’s the difference with Ladies teams?

“It takes a different mental approach. There’s even more psychology to ladies football. The physical front is also different. But pure technically, there’s not that much difference. Tactics and physcial readiness is the same. A good pass, good control, scoring goals and winning, that’s what it boils down to.”


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