The chronicle of an announced dismissal: Piet Vandendriessche was finally sent packing as CEO of the football association on Wednesday. “A CEO who is at odds with the Board of Directors simply cannot function anymore,” Peter Vandenbempt analyses the saga at the KBVB.
Piet Vandendriessche’s resignation had been in the air for several days. How inevitable was the CEO’s departure? “I don’t think there was another option,” says Peter Vandenbempt in Het Journaal.
“That had actually already become clear last week, certainly after the Board of Directors meeting on Monday and the debriefing without the CEO. It was clear to everyone that it could only end this way, even though Vandendriessche defended himself and his policy very passionately at that Board of Directors.”
“Anyway, the breach of trust with the representatives from professional football had been there for some time and apparently the other members of the Board of Directors have also joined in. There was no vote on the dismissal of the CEO, there was unanimity.”
Of course, there was the evaluation procedure of national coach Domenico Tedesco that caused annoyance.
Peter Vandenbempt
What exactly was Vandendriessche accused of? “It is known that there was great dissatisfaction among representatives from professional football about all aspects of his policy,” Vandenbempt explains. “That was simmering a bit.”
“Then of course there was the evaluation procedure of national coach Domenico Tedesco, which caused annoyance, and the failure of negotiations with Vincent Mannaert about a position at the association, to come and redesign the sporting operation.”
“That was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Then the representatives from professional football increased the pressure until it became untenable. A CEO who is at odds with – even just a part of – the Board of Directors, simply cannot function anymore.”
Vincent Mannert
What should happen now? The name of Vincent Mannaert is already buzzing in the corridors as a successor to Piet Vandendriessche. “There has been no talk yet about a possible successor, so not even about Vincent Mannaert”, emphasizes Peter Vandenbempt.
“No interim will be appointed, like last time. The Board of Directors will temporarily take over. That does indicate that they do not intend to start a selection procedure again, because that takes weeks or months.”
“Vincent Mannaert is certainly a candidate, also for the association”, Vandenbempt knows. “But there needs to be some serious talking. The association wants to make clear agreements about the stories from the past, his reputation.”
There has been no discussion yet about a possible successor, including Vincent Mannaert.
Peter Vandenbempt
“On the other hand, Mannaert is certainly interested in becoming CEO of the football association, but he also wants clear agreements. About the strategy, about the vision, about the reporting, about the mandate, …”
“Also about the powers, because Mannaert has long believed that the association needs to make drastic changes in many areas. Sporting and in other areas.”
“So, yes: Vincent Mannaert is interested and for the football association he is certainly the first candidate, but it is certainly not a “done deal” yet.”
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