2016–17 Oud-Heverlee Leuven season

The 2016–17 season was Oud-Heverlee Leuven's 15th competitive season in professional football and the team's first season at the second level following their second relegation from the Belgian Pro League. Following a poor start the team only won their first match near the end of September on matchday seven. The form continued and OH Leuven kept struggling all season to set a consistent string of decent performances despite pre-season hopes of immediately regaining promotion to the Belgian First Division A. The team ended 5th in the opening competition and when despite a good start in the closing competition the performance started dropping, threatening to cause the team to end in the bottom four, manager Emilio Ferrera was sacked and replaced with Dennis van Wijk. Van Wijk could not improve the results and his main task involved in avoiding relegation, in which the team succeeded only on the very last day of the competition in a won home match against direct competitors Lommel United.

Oud-Heverlee Leuven
2016–17 season
Chairman Jimmy Houtput (until 30 September)
Chris Vandebroeck (caretaker)
Manager Emilio Ferrera (until 15 January)
Dennis van Wijk (from 19 January)
StadiumDen Dreef
Belgian First Division B6th
Belgian CupRound 6
Top goalscorerLeague: Esteban Casagolda, 8 goals
All: Esteban Casagolda, 8 goals

On top of the lacklustre season regarding performances, the club also experienced a turbulent season regarding ownership and management: in September 2016, chairman Jimmy Houtput was alleged to have offered the club as a "conduit" to allow third-party companies to gain ownership of football players in England.[1] Houtput claimed he was "merely trying to obtain the identity of the possible investor(s) and would never take part in illegal activities to circumvent the third-party ownership", but subsequently resigned as OH Leuven chairman on 30 September. Chris Vandebroeck stepped in as care-taking chairman but has not been replaced since. In February 2017, Vandebroeck announced that the team had formed a pre-agreement with a Chinese investment company to perform a takeover of OH Leuven, stating that following the relegation a financial injection was needed to remain competitive.[2] In reaction to a wave of criticism from supporters that the club would be sold to foreign investors, a group of supporters created a project called "OHL op Dreef" which managed to find a group of Flemish investors and entrepreneurs from the Leuven region willing to invest in the club. The group finally made a counter-offer and in the months that followed it became clear that the Chinese investment group was not following up on their commitments and would be backing out the investment. This seemed to give the Flemish investors the leading edge, but surprisingly, OH Leuven announced early May they had again signed a new pre-agreement, but now with a set of Thai investors, more specifically the King Power International Group lead by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who already owns Leicester City. Vichai's son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha would become CEO of OH Leuven.[3]

2016–17 squad
  • This section lists players who were in Oud-Heveree Leuven's first team squad at any point during the 2016–17 season
  • The symbol § indicates player left mid-season
  • The symbol # indicates player joined mid-season
  • The symbol ¥ indicates a youngster who has appeared on the match sheet at least once during the season (possibly as unused substitute)
  • Italics indicate loan player
No. Nationality Name Position Joined First Team Signed From
Goalkeepers
1 Nick Gillekens GK 2015 Youth
21 Andreas Suederick¥ GK NA, Youth Squad Genk
26 Laurent Henkinet# GK 2017 Free Agent
28 Ram Strauss§ GK 2016 Poli Timișoara
Defenders
2 Soufiane El Banouhi CB 2016 WS Bruxelles
3 / Fazlı Kocabaş CB 2016 Union SG
4 Romain Reynaud CB 2014 Kortrijk
5 Pierre-Yves Ngawa RB 2015 Lierse
12 Jeroen Simaeys CB 2016 Krylia Sovetov
15 Pieter-Jan Monteyne LB 2015 Mouscron-Péruwelz
17 Nathan Durieux¥ CB NA, Youth Squad Youth
19 Cédric D'Ulivo CB 2016 Zulte Waregem
24 Nathan de Medina CB Loan Anderlecht
25 Nicolas Delporte LB 2014 Gent
28 Siebe Horemans CB Loan Gent
Midfielders
6 Kenneth Houdret CM 2015 Charleroi
7 Jonathan Kindermans CM 2016 RKC Waalwijk
8 / Flavien Le Postollec CM 2014 Mons
16 Jordy Lokando CM 2015 Youth
18 Robin Peeters¥ CM NA, Youth Squad Youth
22 Simon Bracke CM 2015 Youth
24 Lucas Schoofs CM Loan Gent
27 Mehdi Bounou¥ CM NA, Youth Squad Youth
31 Nikola Storm# LW / RW Loan Club Brugge
Forwards
9 // Esteban Casagolda CF 2016 Dender EH
10 Serge Tabekou LW / RW Loan Gent
11 / Ben Yagan CF 2016 Heist
14 Thomas Azevedo LW / RW 2011 Lommel United
18 Tuur Houben§ CF 2016 Youth
20 Din Sula CF 2015 Youth
23 Jovan Kostovski CF 2013 Vardar
29 Leo Njengo# CF 2017 Dessel Sport
30 / Yannick Loemba CF / LW / RW Loan Oostende

Transfers
Main articles: List of Belgian football transfers summer 2016 and List of Belgian football transfers winter 2016–17

The first transfer was announced already in March 2016, when it was released that second goalkeeper Yves Lenaerts had signed for ASV Geel in search for more playing opportunity.[4] This proved to be just the first outgoing transfer of many, as following the relegation from the Belgian Pro League on 13 March 2016, several players left the team: Brazilian defender Kanu saw his contract terminated by mutual consent just a few days after the relegation,[5] over the summer three key players were sold, namely John Bostock (to Lens [6]), Yohan Croizet (to Mechelen [7]) and Jordan Remacle (to Antwerp [8]). The loan deals of Samuel Asamoah, Charni Ekangamene, Leandro Trossard, Slobodan Urošević and Oleksandr Volovyk were not extended, youngster Konstantinos Rougalas was allowed to leave the club and return to Greece [9] and the contracts of Frenchmen Jean Calvé and Rudy Riou, striker Kim Ojo and defender Kenny Van Hoevelen were either terminated or not prolonged. Yohan Brouckaert and Kenneth Van Goethem were out on loan during the 2015–16 season and both signed for new teams, Brouckaert moved to RWDM47 [10] while Kenneth Van Goethem moved to Aarschot.[11] Other outgoing transfers included substitute strikers Alessandro Cerigioni and Romero Regales, respectively moving to Waasland-Beveren [12] and Den Bosch.[13]

At this point, the only remaining players were goalkeeper Gillekens, defenders Delporte, Ngawa and Reynaud, midfielders Le Postollec and Lokando and strikers Azevedo, Kostovski and Sula, not even enough for a complete lineup. The first additions arrived early June, as OH Leuven announced the contract extensions of Kenneth Houdret [14] and Pieterjan Monteyne,[15] while youngster Simon Bracke returned from loan to ASV Geel and was added to the squad. Later that month, the first new names were signed with defender Fazlı Kocabaş (from Union SG [16]) and striker Esteban Casagolda (from Dender EH [17]). OH Leuven then again announced some familiar names, first with the return of winger Ben Yagan who had been released in the summer of 2015 but had experienced a strong season at Heist,[18] followed by the surprise signing of experienced defender and OH Leuven youth product Jeroen Simaeys from Krylia Sovetov.[19] Later in the month of July, the team confirmed the loan deal of winger Serge Tabekou, arriving from Gent.[20]

Early August saw three newcomers added to the team, the signings of Soufiane El Banouhi (from WS Brussels [21]) and Jonathan Kindermans (from Waalwijk [22]) were not unexpected as both had been training with the team for several weeks already. Finally experienced defender Cédric D'Ulivo was also added to the team, coming over from Zulte Waregem.[23] Towards the end of the summer 2016 transfer window, goalkeeper Ram Strauss was brought in from Poli Timișoara as a substitute for Gillekens [24] and on transfer deadline day itself OHL loaned two players to complete the squad, with Yannick Loemba and Nathan de Medina coming over respectively from Oostende [25] and Anderlecht.[26]

During the 2016–17 winter transfer window, OHL first released two players near the end of 2016 by terminating by mutual consent the contracts of youngster Tuur Houben [27] and only recently acquired goalkeeper Ram Strauss.[28] To replace Strauss as second keeper, free agent player Laurent Henkinet was signed,[29] after which followed the signings of youngsters Leo Njengo [30] (from Dessel Sport) and Nikola Storm (on loan from Club Brugge).[31] Finally on 31 January 2016, the last day of the winter transfer window, OHL loaned two players from Gent: midfielder Lucas Schoofs [32] and defender Siebe Horemans.[33]

Pre-Season
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultScorersReport
16 July 2016 AnderlechtH1–4Casagolda pen.Report
29 July 2016 LindenA7–0Houdret, Kostovski (2), Yagan (2), Lokando, SulaReport
313 July 2016 LokerenA0–4Report
416 July 2016 Sint-TruidenA4–1Yagan, Houben, Bracke, KostovskiReport
520 July 2016 KV MechelenH1–1BrackeReport
623 July 2016 WesterloA2–2Sula, TabekouReport
724 July 2016 Olympia WijgmaalA1–2CamaraReport
827 July 2016 UNA StrassenA2–1Kostovski, SulaReport
930 July 2016 Eendracht AalstH4–0Kostovski, Casagolda, Kindermans, SulaReport

Belgian First Division B
Main article: 2016–17 Belgian First Division B

OHL's first season in the Belgian First Division B began on 7 August 2016.

Opening Competition
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReportOpening Competition Position
17 August 2016Lommel UnitedA2–2Kostovski 42', Azevedo 73'Report1st
212 August 2016Union SGH0–3Report7th
320 August 2016RoeselareA2–2Sula 46', Kindermans 80'Report7th
42 September 2016LierseA2–2Kostovski 11', Casagolda 69'Report7th
511 September 2016TubizeH0–1Report8th
618 September 2016AntwerpH1–1Casagolda 69'Report8th
725 September 2016Cercle BruggeA4–2Loemba 4', Kocabaş 44', Casagolda 57', Tabekou 85'Report7th
82 October 2016Lommel UnitedH2–2Simaeys 79', Kostovski 84'Report8th
95 October 2016TubizeA1–0Kostovski 14'Report5th
109 October 2016RoeselareH1–1Loemba 24'Report6th
1116 October 2016AntwerpA1–2Simaeys 36'Report7th
1222 October 2016Cercle BruggeH2–0Tabekou 24', Azevedo 45+2'Report4th
1329 October 2016Union SGA0–2Report5th
146 November 2016LierseH0–1Report5th

Closing Competition
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReportOpening Competition PositionOverall League Position
112 November 2016Lommel UnitedA2–2Kindermans 32', Houdret 33'Report2nd6th
218 November 2016AntwerpH0–0Report3rd6th
327 November 2016Cercle BruggeH1–0Casagolda 75' (p)Report3rd5th
43 December 2016TubizeA2–0Azevedo 54', Casagolda 71'Report1st4th
510 December 2016RoeselareH1–2Kostovski 75'Report3rd5th
618 December 2016LierseA1–1Kostovski 44'Report4th5th
78 January 2017Union SGA0–4Report5th5th
814 January 2017TubizeH1–3Tabekou 23'Report6th6th
921 January 2017AntwerpA0–2Report7th6th
1027 January 2017LierseH2–3Loemba 75', Casagolda 90+3' (p)Report7th7th
115 February 2017RoeselareA1–2Kostovski 37'Report7th7th
1211 February 2017Lommel UnitedH2–1Storm 18', Lenaerts 30' (o.g.)Report7th7th
1318 February 2017Cercle BruggeA0–1Report7th7th
1426 February 2017Union SGH2–0Horemans 18', Casagolda 44'Report7th7th

Relegation play-offs
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReportPosition
124 March 2017TubizeH1–1Tabekou 79'Report3rd
21 April 2017Lommel UnitedA1–2Corstjens 5' (o.g.)Report3rd
37 April 2017Cercle BruggeH1–0Casagolda 40'Report2nd
414 April 2017Cercle BruggeA0–0Report1st
522 April 2017TubizeA1–0Report3rd
628 April 2017Lommel UnitedH1–0Cauwenberg 53' (o.g.)Report2nd

Belgian Cup
Main article: 2016–17 Belgian Cup

Results
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultScorersPenalty shoot-outReport
R528 August 2016RebecqA[nb 4]1–1 (3–5 p)Azevedo 14' Casagolda
Bracke
Le Postollec
D'Ulivo
Kocabaş		Report
R621 September 2016AnderlechtA0–1Report

Footnotes
  1. Houdret was on loan from Charleroi during the 2015–16 season. The loan ended but Houdret moved to OHL permanently.
  2. Van Goethem was on loan to Heist during the 2015–16 season. The loan ended and he was released to Aarschot.
  3. Brouckaert was on loan to Roeselare during the 2015–16 season. The loan ended and he was released to RWDM47.
  4. The match was not played on the home pitch of Rebecqoise in Rebecq but rather at the Stade Leburton which was only a few kilometres away in Tubize and allowed for a much larger number of spectators to attend.

References
  1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/29/belgium-football-club-offered-itself-as-a-conduit-to-help-a-fict/
  2. http://sporza.be/permalink/1.2881553
  3. http://sporza.be/permalink/1.2980588%5B%5D
  4. "Lenaerts vindt nieuwe uitdaging bij Geel" [Lenaerts finds new challenge with Geel] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-03-02. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  5. "Kanu volgt OH Leuven niet naar tweede klasse" [Kanu does not follow OH Leuven into the second division] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-03-23.
  6. "Bostock kiest voor nieuw avontuur in Franse tweede klasse" [Bostock chooses new adventure in French second division] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-07-05.
  7. "KVM: "Wensen Hanni veel succes bij Anderlecht"" [KVM: "We wish Hanni good luck at Anderlecht"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-05-21.
  8. "Remacle gaat voortaan dribbelen voor Antwerp" [Remacle to dribble for Antwerp from now on] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-06-30.
  9. "Rougkalas keert terug naar Griekenland" [Rougkalas returns to Greece] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-30. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  10. "YOHAN BROUCKAERT (23/06/2016)" [YOHAN BROUCKAERT (23/06/2016)] (in French). rwdm47.be. 2016-06-23. Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  11. "Kenneth Van Goethem naar Aarschot" [Kenneth Van Goethem to Aarschot] (in Dutch). robtv.be. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  12. "Cerigioni zet carrière verder bij Waasland-Beveren" [Cerigioni continues career with Waasland-Beveren] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-04-26. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  13. "Romero Regales kiest voor FC Den Bosch" [Romero Regales chooses FC Den Bosch] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-07-12. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  14. "Kenneth Houdret blijft in Leuven" [Kenneth Houdret stays in Leuven] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-10. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  15. "Pieterjan Monteyne blijft in Leuven" [Pieterjan Monteyne stays in Leuven] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-06. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  16. "Sterke verdediger voor OHL" [Strong defender for OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-20. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  17. "Topschutter naar Den Dreef" [Top scorer to Den Dreef] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-24. Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  18. "Yagan keert terug naar het nest" [Yagan returns to the nest] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-06-30. Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  19. "Jeroen Simaeys versterkt Leuvense defensie" [Jeroen Simaeys reinforces Leuven defence] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-07-03. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  20. "Bliksemsnelle winger voor OHL" [Very fast winger for OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-07-20. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  21. "Nieuwe rechtsback voor OHL" [New rightback for OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-02. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  22. "Kindermans kiest voor OHL" [Kindermans chooses OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-02. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  23. "OHL strikt ervaren verdediger" [OHL signs experienced defender] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-03. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  24. "Extra doelman voor OHL" [Extra goalkeeper OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-20. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  25. "Yannick Loemba versterkt de rangen" [Yannick Loemba reinforces the squad] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-31. Archived from the original on 2016-11-05. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  26. "Nathan de Medina versterkt verdediging" [Nathan de Medina reinforces defence] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-08-31. Archived from the original on 2016-11-05. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  27. "Wegen van Houben en OHL scheiden" [Ways of Houben and OHL part] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-12-19. Archived from the original on 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  28. "Ram Strauss keert terug naar huis" [Ram Strauss returns home] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-12-23. Archived from the original on 2016-12-24. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  29. "Laurent Henkinet tekent contract tot einde van het seizoen" [Laurent Henkinet signs contract until the end of the season] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2016-12-27. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  30. "Jong, Belgisch talent Njengo Mandeng kiest voor OHL" [Young, Belgian talent Njengo Mandeng chooses OHL] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2017-01-06. Archived from the original on 2017-01-07. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  31. "Storm versterkt Leuvense rangen" [Storm reinforces Leuven ranks] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2017-01-09. Archived from the original on 2017-01-14. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  32. "OHL leent Lucas Schoofs van KAA Gent" [OHL loans Lucas Schoofs from KAA Gent] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2017-01-31.
  33. "Gentse enclave breidt uit met Horemans" [Gent enclave expands with Horemans] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2017-01-31.
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