After a disappointing start to their season, FC Aalst has fired their longtime manager Englishman Benjamin Williamson. The move has taken the football world by surprise, as Williamson was one of the most accomplished managers in Belgian football history. The 57 year old Williamson was first hired before Aalst's second season after the club's first manager, Fabian Trommler, was fired after only one season at the helm. Under Williamson's guidance, Aalst went from a last place finish in their first season, to a league championship in their second. Williamson would guide Aalst to a total of 4 league championships and a domestic cup title.
"After our recent spate of disappointing finishes, it was time to make a change" said Club President Thomas Segers at today's press conference. "We felt it was necessary to move forward. We would like to thank Mr. Williamson for his many years of service here and for all that he has done to make FC Aalst a touted club in Belgium. We wish him all the best in all of his future endeavours."
Williamson's replacement will be 38 year old Abrahams De Meyer, a longtime forward for Aalst. De Meyer joined prior to their second season and was an immediate star for the team. In 8 seasons for Aalst, De Meyer won the Golden Boot as the Belgian League's top scorer 5 times. De Meyer is FC Aalst's all time leading scorer with 296 goals, and the Belgian League's all time leading scorer with 336 goals. He spent the last two years as an assistant and forwards coach for Aalst. De Meyer is the third coach in Aalst's history and the first to be born in Belgium.
"It is an absolute honour to be named manager of this storied team" said a humbled De Meyer in the press conference introducing him. "I fully understand the expectations that come with this position. I believe that Aalst can and should be in a position to win the league, and I believe that we can return to the pinnacle of Belgian football." When asked about the departure of Benjamin Williamson, De Meyer had nothing but positive things to say. "I have the utmost respect for coach Williamson. I have played for him and worked under him as a coach, and he is a great manager. He was a very hard worker, a tradition I hope to carry on in my tenure."
Williamson has agreed to work directly for JR Wellington Sports Management Group as a consultant, but did not rule out the possibility of returning to the sidelines in the future. "I love coaching, plain and simple. I've been coaching for over 20 years now, and I don't know that I could ever say that I'll never coach again. Forever is a long time. If the right opportunity comes up, at the right time, it would be hard to say no. I wish Abrahams and the rest of the team all of the best in their coming matches."
De Meyer's managing career begins in next week's road match against FC Antwerpen.