Franky Van der Elst

See also François Van der Elst, another Belgian footballer.
Franky Van der Elst
Personal information
Date of birth 30 April 1961 (1961-04-30) (age 50)
Place of birth Ninove, Belgium
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Lommel United (coach)
Youth career
Blau-Wit Lombeek
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1978–1984 Molenbeek 104 (5)
1984–1999 Club Brugge 462 (14)
National team
1984–1998 Belgium 86 (1)
Teams managed
1999–2003 Germinal Beerschot
2003–2004 Lokeren
2005–2007 Club Brugge (assistant)
2008 FC Brussels
2009–2011 Lommel United
2011– Sint-Truiden
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Franky Van der Elst (born 30 April 1961) is a retired Belgian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a current manager.

During a 21-year professional career, he played mainly with Club Brugge, being regarded as a legend there, and briefly coaching the team in the 2000s (decade). Also, he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers, in March 2004.

Van der Elst won 86 caps for the Belgian national team, representing the country in four FIFA World Cups, and retiring from football at nearly 40 years of age.

Contents

Football career

Born in Ninove, Van der Elst started his professional career at R.W.D. Molenbeek, earning his first call-up for Belgium in 1982. Two years later, he moved to Club Brugge K.V. and stayed there until he finished his career in 1999, going on to total over 500 overall appearances with the side (462 in the league alone). During four seasons, he often partnered in midfield his namesake Leo - no relation.

Van der Elst won the Golden Shoe twice in his career, an accomplishment for an eminently defensive-minded player. He also appeared in four FIFA World Cups, from 1986 to 1998.[1] Only having scored once for his country in nearly 90 matches, against Norway, he reacted with astonishment upon its realization.

After his career as a player, Van der Elst was appointed as manager at K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot. After four relatively successful years, he was replaced by Marc Brys, and subsequently joined K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen, however only for one season.

In 2005, Van der Elst returned to 'his' Club Brugge, as an assistant, joining former teammates (both in club and country) Jan Ceulemans, Marc Degryse, Dany Verlinden and René Verheyen. He stayed at Brugge when Verheyen and Ceulemans were fired in 2006, but was eventually shown the door the following year, with head coach Emilio Ferrera.

After a very short spell with FC Brussels,[2] Van der Elst moved to K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel, both sides in the second level.

Honours

Club statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Belgium League Belgian Cup League Cup Europe Total
1978–79 Molenbeek Belgian League 1 0
1979–80 0 0
1980–81 6 0
1981–82 33 1
1982–83 32 1
1983–84 31 3
1984–85 Club Brugge Belgian League 33 1
1985–86 34 2
1986–87 34 0
1987–88 32 0
1988–89 34 1
1989–90 34 1
1990–91 34 3
1991–92 29 3
1992–93 32 1
1993–94 20 0
1994–95 29 0
1995–96 30 0
1996–97 29 2
1997–98 32 0
1998–99 30 1
Total Belgium 569 20
Career total 569 20

References

  1. ^ Franky Van der Elst – FIFA competition record
  2. ^ Franky Van der Elst moet opkrassen bij Brussels (Franky Van der Elst sacked by Brussels) (Dutch)

External links

UEFA
CONMEBOL
CAF
CONCACAF
AFC
K. Sint-Truidense V.V. – current squad