Genk sack former Al Ahly coach Jesse Thorup after poor run of results

Belgian club Genk have parted ways with Danish coach Jesse Thorup with immediate effect following a disappointing run of results that has left the team struggling to meet its ambitions in the ongoing season.

The former Al Ahly boss leaves the Danish outfit alongside his assistant coach Emre Sabic, bringing an end to their stint at the club.

The development represents another setback in Thorup’s coaching career, with the former Al Ahly coach unable to convince Genk’s management that he could turn around the team’s fortunes after a difficult start to the campaign.

Genk’s decision followed an internal assessment of the team’s performances and results over the past few weeks. The management had reportedly become increasingly concerned about the team’s declining form and its inability to make the expected progress under the Danish tactician.

After 11 rounds of the Belgian league, Genk occupy seventh position with 15 points from a possible 33, a return that falls short of the club’s expectations and ambitions of challenging for the leading positions.

In its statement, the club explained that the current league position does not reflect its objectives, adding that the technical staff had failed to deliver the necessary improvement in performances over the recent period.

Genk also disclosed that the management had held internal discussions before reaching the decision, having initially given Thorup and his assistants an opportunity to address the problems and restore the team’s competitive form in collaboration with the players.

However, those efforts failed to produce the desired turnaround, forcing the club to conclude that a change in leadership was necessary to give the team a fresh impetus for the remainder of the season.

The departure of Thorup and Sabic brings an end to their time with the Belgian outfit, with Genk now expected to begin the search for a new technical direction as they attempt to revive their campaign.

The club will hope the managerial change helps restore consistency and improve results as it seeks to close the gap on the teams above them in the Belgian league standings.