KRC Genk have appointed Nicky Hayen as the new head coach of the first team. The Limburg-born coach has signed an open-ended contract with the club and takes over as the sporting leader of the senior squad.
Over recent seasons, Nicky Hayen has built a strong reputation as a head coach. He consistently delivered results at both domestic level and on the European stage, while proving his tactical flexibility and his ability to develop and work with young talent. Those qualities did not go unnoticed. Despite attracting international interest in recent months, Hayen made a clear and conscious choice to commit to the sporting project of KRC Genk.
“Nicky has shown himself to be a true professional in leading a technical staff and managing a group of players,” the club said. “He knows the league inside out and understands what it takes to compete for silverware. That winning mentality fits perfectly with the ambitions of our club.”
In the coming weeks, the technical staff will be further shaped in close consultation, with the aim of providing the squad with maximum support and achieving the club’s sporting objectives.
Those ambitions remain unchanged. Domestically, KRC Genk aim to secure European qualification via the Champions’ Play-offs. On the continental stage, the objective is equally clear: to progress from the Europa League league phase and once again establish KRC Genk as a strong presence in Europe.
Nicky Hayen is looking forward to the challenge: “KRC Genk is an ambitious club — that was clear from the very first conversations over the past few days. I’m really looking forward to meeting the squad and I’m extremely motivated to achieve great things together with this club,” said the newly appointed head coach.
Hayen will take charge of his first training session on Wednesday and will be in the dugout for the first time on Friday.