Olivier Renard succeeded Jesper Fredberg at Anderlecht. He talks about his past at Standard.
The arrival of Olivier Renard at Anderlecht sparked quite strong reactions among the supporters. Hostile banners flourished from the first Sporting matches following the announcement. At Standard, the news goes down just as badly.
“They are frustrated that I am joining the historic rival and I understand that. I spent three great years at Standard as sporting director” explains Renard, interviewed by Het Laatste Nieuws.
The main reason for his departure from Sclessin in 2019 is linked to Michel Preud’homme : “I could not adhere to his recruitment policy. I expressed these concerns on several occasions to Bruno Venanzi” he remembers.
The struggle for decision-making power
For Olivier Renard, the situation had become untenable: “I had warned him that things were taking a bad turn. I was paid as technical director, it was my duty to point out that I did not agree with Michel’s choices”.
He notes that the Standard didn’t grow out of it: “I had 20-year-old players ready to replace Marin or Djenepo, but Venanzi listened to Preud’homme. For me, it was particularly frustrating. But when I see that the players I wanted recruit play today at Juventus and in the Premier League, I know I was right.”
