“Charles stood out with head & shoulders”: youth trainer Varsenare shines with pride
The rest is history. Rik Brusseel is still a passionate youth trainer. He was Charles De Ketelaere’s first football coach, when his parents from neighboring Sint-Andries came to register him with Varsenare 16 years ago.
“Exceptional talent, even then”
“He was five years old at the time,” says Rik. “We always let him play with children a year older. He was already head and shoulders above the rest. That was clearly an exceptional talent.
-What did you see in him then? His speed of action was extremely high, and his coordination was also very good. He was faster than the rest, and he could do moves with the ball, simple, cut and stuff, but he could do that with left and right. Then he was over you, and he was decisive. And he always has.”
“Called Club Brugge”
De Ketelaere only stayed with Varsenare for a few months. Too great a talent, who deserved a better development school.
“I then called Club Brugge and said that I had one that should not continue to play at our level, but better come to you. He only played a few months in the Varsenare football school. He then went to the U7 has gone from Club Brugge, and has always stayed there until now.”
(read more below the photo)Don’t forget Varsenare
De Ketelaere continues to maintain a link with Varsenare. He was already a guest at a benefit match, and was allowed to celebrate the title three times with Club in café Oud Gemeentehuis. Not his favorite activity though.
“A boy you won’t have a problem with me. He knows what he’s doing, he’s very polite and distinguished. He’ll stay that way. I don’t know if he’s really timid. On the pitch it comes across that way, but he always waits his moments. He’s always had that in football. Sometimes you didn’t see him think for a while, and you were already thinking ‘Charles, Charles’ And then he does something that makes a difference. That’s what makes him so unique .”
And one of those moments has now come. A dream transfer to AC Milan.
“He will make it, I hope so, but I do believe in it. Do you ever hope to get another De Ketelaere under your wing? I hope to get a hundred more under my wing.”