Put pushed out by Lokeren
Monday, October 27, 2003
Article summary
Paul Put has been sacked as coach of KSC Lokeren OV, with Franky Van Der Elst appointed in his place.
Article body
Disappointing start
Put has paid the price for a disappointing start to the season, with Lokeren taking six points from their opening ten games and occupying 16th position in the table. Last term, he had led the team to third place and into Europe for the first time, but Lokeren were beaten by England's Manchester City FC on their UEFA Cup debut.
Tearful salute
"I had to wipe away the tears," said Lokeren president Roger Lambrecht. "Put did not deserve this. He is a very good coach, but there was no other solution as results failed to improve." Put had joined the club in 2001.
Brugge reunion
Van Der Elst, meanwhile, had been out of work since leaving KFC Germinal Beerschot in the summer. He will take charge of his new side for Saturday's match against Club Brugge KV. The former Belgian international spent 15 years with Brugge as a player, winning five league championships and being voted his country's player of the year in 1989 and 1996.
