Parys has a past at Club Brugge: “But played no role in the selection process”

About ten years ago he started working as Chief Operating Officer at Club Brugge.

“So I got a taste for Club,” said Parys on Monday after a general meeting in the Crowne Plaza hotel in the shadow of Brussels Airport.

“No influence”

The 45-year-old Parys emphasized that his past ties with Club had no influence on his appointment as CEO.

“I have not had any contact with Bart Verhaeghe (chairman Club Brugge, ed.). That played no role in the selection process. I had all conversations with Wouter Vandenhaute (chairman of RSC Anderlecht, who had a special mandate from the Pro League, ed. ) We had contact for the first time three or four weeks ago.”

Parys leaves the political party N-VA, where he was vice-chairman, and will join the Pro League from April 1. His career in politics is now a thing of the past, according to the new CEO.

“My political convictions are now in the back pocket. I feel the support of the French-speaking clubs. We have the will to move forward with football.”