Club Brugge sack Hoefkens despite reaching Champions League last 16

Club Brugge have sacked head coach Carl Hoefkens, despite the Belgian guiding them into the last 16 of the Champions League in his seven months in charge.

Brugge defied the odds by finishing above Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid to reach the knockout stage of the competition for the first time, where Benfica await over two legs.

However, the reigning Belgian champions have struggled domestically as they sit fourth in the league and were knocked out of the cup by Sint-Truidense last week.

Hoefkens has previously been assistant coach at Under-18, Under-21 and first-team level prior to taking over as head coach in May.

Brugge confirmed Hoefkens' exit in a statement on their official website on Tuesday.

Club CEO Vincent Mannaert said: "Carl's contribution and commitment to the club and as an assistant were greatly appreciated.

Club beëindigt samenwerking met Carl Hoefkens.Meer info
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) December 28, 2022

"His part in this season's successful Champions League campaign cannot be underestimated either.

"Our choices last summer did not deliver the desired level of play and result in the Belgian league and the Belgian cup. We are now working on the best possible succession."

Brugge are back in action on January 8 with a trip to Belgian First Division leaders Genk.

They welcome Benfica to Jan Breydel Stadium on February 15 for the first leg of their last-16 tie, before travelling to Portugal three weeks later.