Union Saint-Gilloise fired manager Karel Geraerts on Thursday after the two parties failed to agree on new contract terms. The Brussels side are now looking for a new coach for the second summer in a row.
In a statement on their website, Union stated that they had offered Geraerts a new contract but failed to reach an agreement with the coach in subsequent negotiations.
According to sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Union proposed a €4,000 per month salary increase (pre-tax) to Geraerts. The pay rise was seen as a way to reward the coach for Union's stellar season, which saw the club reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League and come within minutes of lifting the Jupiler Pro League title.
However, the club's offer was rejected by Geraerts, who then told management that he would be leaving Union within the next year. Faced with a dilemma, the club hierarchy opted to terminate the coach's contract, judging that Geraert's "commitment was not sufficient enough to continue our cooperation."
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The situation puts an end to Geraerts' four years spent at Union, who was originally the assistant manager Felice Mazzu. Geraerts had replaced Mazzu when he left for RSC Anderlecht last summer but has ended up following in his former boss' footsteps by leaving Union without a coach for the second summer in a row.
Regarding potential replacements, RWD Molenbeek's coach Vincent Euvrard has been mentioned as a candidate by Het Nieuwsblad, after having getting his side promoted to the Jupiler Pro League.
As for Geraerts, his name has been linked with various jobs in the French top flight with OGC Nice and Lorient FC both viewing him as a managerial candidate.
