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Preud'homme enjoys Standard glory

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As R. Standard de Liège won a first Belgian league title in 25 years, Michel Preud'homme said success was "for the fans, and not to get a statue raised in my honour".

R. Standard de Liège coach Michel Preud'homme
R. Standard de Liège coach Michel Preud'homme ©Getty Images

After R. Standard de Liège claimed a first Belgian title in 25 years, Michel Preud'homme said the win was "for the fans, and not to get a statue raised in my honour".

Prayers answered
Preud'homme was Standard's goalkeeper they were crowned champions, in 1982/83, and was on the bench on Sunday as a 2-0 win against the reigning title-holders, second-placed RSC Anderlecht, earned the Liege side the title. Preud'homme said that he had woken up on Sunday morning thinking "God, give us the title". He delivered, with both goals ironically coming from Dieumerci Mbokani Bezua.

Dictionary definition
The former Belgium keeper helped forge the current squad as technical director, before taking over from Johan Boskamp as coach in August 2006. His decision to build the side around Belgian Player of the Year Steven Defour paid dividends. Newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws wrote: "I you want a definition of the word hero, ask a Liege citizen what Michel Preud'homme is."

'All my soul'
"I am happy with all my soul," said the 49-year-old. "This squad did an excellent job. No one believed we could win the title before the start of the season, but we never gave up and showed mental strength combined with talent. We were not allowed to disappoint these fans again. I did this for the fans, and not to get a statue raised in my honour. This is a beautiful evening."

Magnanimous coach
Given the amount of near misses that Standard fans have suffered in the 25 years leading up to their ninth national title, few in Belgium would begrudge them their celebrations, not even Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs. "It's not nice for us, but as a sportsman I just have to congratulate Standard," he said. "They deserve this title – you have to admit that."

Zidane award
Midfielder Defour, who celebrated his 20th birthday last Tuesday, went into the match on a high having been presented with his trophy as Belgium's 2007 Player of the Year by Zinédine Zidane before the game. "We are just the best side, you saw that again today," he beamed afterwards. "The fact that I got the Golden Boot from Zidane gave the whole team an extra lift."

Supporting cast
Defour and Preud'homme were the stars of Standard's show this season, but they had a splendid supporting cast, with talented Belgian youngsters Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini providing service for the likes of Milan Jovanović and Mbokani up front. "We clearly proved that we deserved to be champions," concluded Preud'homme.

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