Ex Wales and Sunderland head coach Chris Coleman outlines ambitions with Leicester City sister club OH Leuven: ‘I do not see why we cannot compete for the top six in the long term’ | OneFootball

Chris Coleman is the new head coach of struggling OH Leuven. The side, joined in partnership with Leicester City, have struggled to find consistency this season. As reported by HLN, the former Wales and Sunderland head coach was his usual positive and pragmatic self during the first press conference. While he was keen to outline the importance of focusing on remaining in the Belgian Pro League, he also showed the ambition for the club that was a clear reason why he took on the new job.

Coleman said ‘This is a good club, in a good competition. I am happy to take on this challenge. I do not see why we cannot compete for the top six in the long term. At the moment we still have to look at the teams behind us, but in terms of players and people here it is good. It is not our priority now, but I see us having a chance to enter Europe with this club in the long term’. While this may seem like the usual opening press conference fluff, there is something that should excite the fans of the club. For those on the outside, it is clear that the facilities and structure is in place at OH Leuven for them to be a consistent side in and around the top six. They are well backed financially and have some talented players in the squad, but so far it has not clicked on a consistent basis.

For the past few seasons, it has felt like there was a lack of ambition in the side. While keeping the side safe is his first priority, it is nice to hear that Coleman has recognised the potential the club has. Fans will be hoping that he can bring the same mentality that he instilled in his Welsh side that famously beat Belgium in Euro 2016, rather than his struggles with Sunderland and other clubs.

Coleman will certainly have been happy to see his side avoid defeat to Anderlecht at the weekend. However, he will also have realised that their main problem this season has been scoring goals, something he will need to fix quickly.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson