At Zulte Waregem, things are happening behind the scenes, despite the sporting successes. Essevee is the current second in D1B and has just scored five victories in a row, but the cancellation of the team building, three dismissals and even an intervention by the police have caused trouble.
At Zulte Waregem, the 21-year-old managing director Michiel Beeuwsaert is responsible for the day-to-day management. He is the youngest club manager in Europe. The team building, which took place on the banks of the Lys, was abruptly interrupted after a call from the main shareholder, Tony Beeuwsaert, Michiel’s father, for budgetary reasons.
What started as a day full of sporting activities ended abruptly with disappointed employees. The club management, which had not approved the team building due to a misunderstanding, stopped the activities even though part of the costs had already been paid.
Team building went to hell, in Zulte
This caused frustration among staff who had become involved after the club’s relegation to the second division. The discontent was not limited to team building. The next day, three employees were fired and three others received a formal warning, according to The Newspaper.
It appears that tensions were high internally, especially when the police intervened on the scene. Accusations of recalcitrant behavior from staff were made, which was denied by those involved with the club.
While the club speaks publicly of a “new lease of life”, it seems that internally there is an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. The dismissed employees do not dare to react in public, and according to internal sources at the club, father and son Beeuwsaert are under pressure following the incidents, with in particular father Tony taking a hard line.
