Rejection from Svensson
©IMAGO
The article was first published at 1:51 p.m. and has been updated with further information about Bo Svensson
Union Saint-Gilloise has found the successor to Sébastien Pocognoli, who moved to AS Monaco. The 37-year-old Belgian David Hubert comes from league rivals Oud-Heverlee Leuven and is the fourth coach in less than two and a half years. The defending champion announced this on Monday afternoon. It was later said that there was also another candidate, Bo Svensson.
For Hubert, who began his coaching career at RSC Anderlecht in October 2024, it is the direct jump from the relegation battle into the title race. With OH Leuven he was in 15th place in the Jupiler Pro League after eight points from ten games – now he’s heading to the table leader and Champions League participant. His former club wrote in a press release that they were “surprised and disappointed by this decision, but Union Saint-Gilloise has fulfilled all contractual obligations regarding his transfer.”
Pocognoli had been on the sidelines at Union Saint-Gilloise since the 2024/25 season and averaged 1.91 points in 69 games. He also sensationally won the club’s first championship in 90 years as the successor to Alexander Blessin and Karel Geraerts.
Update 6:56 p.m.: According to “Sky Sport DE”, Hubert was initially just one of several candidates. RUSG is said to have previously sent a request to ex-Bundesliga coach Bo Svensson. But he canceled after he expressed his wish to bring his own assistants with him – apparently without success. Despite their interest, the Dane did not get involved with Glasgow Rangers either.