Wouter Vrancken Tactics At KRC Genk 2022/23: A New Era At The Luminus Arena – Tactical Analysis

After a seventh-place finish in the Belgian Pro League regular season for KV Mechelen, along with a place in the European playoffs, Wouter Vrancken called time on his four-year spell in charge of the north Belgium side.

Vrancken’s time at Mechelen was very successful.

The crowning achievement was winning the Belgium Cup during his first season when Mechelen was still a second-division side.

Since that cup triumph, Vrancken guided Mechelen to promotion to the Belgian First Division and then got them into the European playoffs.

Now the recently appointed KRC Genk manager, Vrancken is tasked with improving on the side’s eighth-place finish last campaign, and getting them back into the Championship playoffs.

This tactical analysis will examine Wouter Vrancken’s philosophy and examine a few of the strategic implementations that Genk fans can expect from their side next season and beyond.

Role of the goalkeeper during build-up phases 

At Mechelen, Wouter Vranckens style of play opted for a more direct build-up style.

Last season, Mechelen played the most long passes in the Belgian Pro League.

The key to this was Gaëtan Coucke, Mechelen’s goalkeeper, who played a vital part in what Vrancken asked his side to do during these phases of play.

This section will examine the goalkeepers vital role in Wouter Vrancken’s system in more depth. 

The image above shows the typical shape that Mechelen looked to utilise during the build-up phases.

As the ball is played back to Coucke, he moves outside of his penalty box to form a back five, splitting the two centre-backs.

An extra man for