Drazen Brncic looks back on his adventures at RWDM and RFC Liège: “A feeling of injustice and betrayal”

Drazen, Liège and the RWDM clash. Two clubs that bring back memories.

“When I was coach of RWDM, I never lost against Liège. I remember winning a duel 4-0 in 2017. Liège-RWDM was the match of the season. felt a certain vibration between two clubs which have a past and a soul, thanks to magnificent supporters. In the other camp, I never played against Molenbeek but I will remember the Belgian Cup match, against. Anderlecht, in an empty stadium.”

You mention the supporters. They really liked you. What do you remember about their fervor and the relationship you had with them?

“In my career, I have always tried to be myself and respect others, whether I am at AC Milan or Hemptinne-Eghezée. As a coach, I give my best and I ask my players to ‘do the same. People felt this honesty in me, regardless of their social background. We must not forget that tradition and history are mainly created by the supporters. The coaches and players are only passing through. next to us, there has people who live for their club, who pass on this passion from generation to generation. Some even deprive themselves of elements of their daily life to live their passion. We are here to make people happy thanks to us. best gift one can receive, whether there were 200 or 4,000 in the stadium. I would say that I had a close, honest and human relationship, which is not always the case with the generation. current, however, I wasn’t looking. to please and we must accept that supporters react with their emotions first. Without them, football is not the same. I experienced it in Liège during Covid.”

Your adventures in Liège and RWDM ended suddenly. Were there warning signs?

“Not at all. None. But time passes. Since then, I have experienced the loss of both my parents in a few days. From then on, nothing surprises me or affects me in the same way. This part of my career leaves no trace. I’ll be honest, I had a feeling of injustice and betrayal. Things were done behind my back, both in Liège and at RWDM. those who wanted to put themselves forward found themselves on the second plan, something that didn’t please. There were probably also stories of cronyism. We were waiting for a moment to kick me out. With the RWDM, we lost in the Cup to Dessel (a team of the same level), at the end of. extensions. There was no problem. In Liège, I was kicked out after a defeat in Knokkeeven though we deserved to win. For the first time this season, we were no longer in the top 4 but we had one game less. If we had won the latter, we would have moved up to second place. Liège obviously didn’t want to go up that season because he wasn’t ready but they couldn’t tell me not to win. My way of working probably cost me several jobs, but I was right in my boots and, today, I can look at myself in the mirror, as my parents always taught me. I make my own choices and I am solely responsible if the results do not follow. I will never accept players or tactical choices being imposed on me.”

You share this feeling for the first time since your departure from RFC Liège. Have you confessed everything?

“Yes. I want to be transparent. I can no longer keep it to myself, especially since it goes against my values. And I’m not a big mouth (sic) however, on the contrary. I want to be remembered for my honesty.”

You said it several times when you arrived at both clubs: you dreamed of rewriting their history with golden letters. But you didn’t make it…

“I very sincerely thought I would bring them back to the highest level. I wanted to be the Guy Roux of RWDM or Liège. But the leaders didn’t let me do it. As I said, I probably took on too much importance Without tongue in cheek, I was embarrassing! When Thierry Dailly told me that he saw himself in D1 with me, I was probably too naive. The people who took over these teams after me had connections with others. others, he Don’t be fooled.”

Training among the pros remains your goal despite everything.

“Of course. I want to go as high as possible. To be better tomorrow, you always need a carrot. My goal is to improve every day. All my training sessions are carefully prepared. Of course, they may not be the best but I always do the best I can. And if I fail, it will be entirely my fault. Maybe I’m too frank for this environment. I’ve been asked to be T2. to then become T1 because the path is sometimes faster but I am a T1 and not an opportunist, ready to wait until someone is fired to take his place.”

Today, these two clubs are at professional level, without you. How do you see this?

“I am very happy and I wish them to join the D1A because they deserve it. I am not at all resentful. Going to the Machtens stadium or to Rocourt is a celebration, there are real emotions.”

With the arrival of American investors, things have changed… How do you see this?

“I don’t know enough to be able to judge. I think both clubs needed it to continue their development. We have to give them time to do the work. We will judge later.”

Do you still follow team news?

“From time to time. I at least look at the results and sometimes some pictures. But I never went back to either stadium again.”

If John Textor or Jean-Paul Lacomble calls you tomorrow to coach and you are without a club, will you go back?

“Yes because I look everyone straight in the eye, even if I have never returned to clubs from my past. I will simply be less naive than the first time and certain requirements will be put on paper and signed, especially at the contractual level . You know, people much smarter than me have said: you don’t lose, you learn.”

You won’t even return to Rocourt this Friday, a few steps from your home?

“If I go back one day, it will be in my own way. This Friday, I have evening training with Tubize-Braine which is much more important than this match (sic).”

Can you at least make a prediction?

“I’m bad at this game. Molenbeek is in a more positive dynamic than Liège but winning at Rocourt is never easy. The crowd behind the goal is very close to the pitch and gives extra energy to the players to get a result. It’s almost impossible for an opponent to be indifferent to that, with the fans on both sides, I’m sure it will be a wonderful spectacle.