Thorsten Fink’s Tactics & Style Of Play At Sint-Truiden: What Will The German Tactician Bring To The Belgian Side? – Tactical Analysis

In one of the more intriguing managerial appointments so far in the Belgian Pro League going into next season, Sint-Truiden has hired German manager Thorsten Fink to replace his compatriot Bernd Hollerbach in the hot seat at the club.

Last season, Fink was in charge of two different clubs, with him in charge of both Latvian side Riga FC and Arabian Gulf League side Al Nasr.

His most notable managerial spell came between 2009 and 2011 when he was at Swiss Super League side FC Basel.

The 55-year-old won two Swiss Super League titles and one Swiss Cup. 

This tactical analysis will examine Thomas Fink’s tactics from his last two managerial stops in Latvia and the United Arab Emirates, analyzing at the same time what his style of play at STVV will likely look like from next season onwards.

Utilising the wide channels and half spaces

When it comes to how Thorsten Finks coaching style and how he wants his sides to attack, a lot of their chance creation comes from the wide players in his 4-1-4-1, whether it be the wide midfielders or the advancing fullbacks.

Fink also looks for his side to utilise the half spaces in attack, as well as looking to have players sit in between the opposition’s lines and receive possession in dangerous areas. 

The data viz graphic above shows the progressive pass maps of both Riga and Al Nasr last season when the German was in charge of the clubs.

We can spot a similarity pretty quickly in the way both sides look to create chances.

A majority of the prog