In the early 1980s, the club found itself in serious trouble. The appointment of coach Ivic brought calm, solutions, and a sense of redemption. The small, controversial Croatian laid the foundations for several successful years. It was on those foundations that coaches Van Himst and Haan later achieved their own successes — and they deserved them.
But then, a period of decline began.
The core reason was that the club structures built by Albert Roosens gradually fell apart. Many experienced football professionals either left or retired, and this had a ripple effect on the younger generations as well. The scouting system collapsed. Bekeffy, the manager who had tied both his fate and fortune to the club, passed away — and no suitable successor was found.
Despite all this, Anderlecht managed to survive, thanks solely to its financial strength. It was the wealthiest and most powerful club in the country, capable of influencing the pace of the transfer market at will — sometimes speeding it up, sometimes slowing it down to suit its own interests.
Its transfer activities almost always ended with a positive balance. This was crucial, as the club had to continually invest in the expansion of its stadium — without any state support.
From a business standpoint, this was an unprecedented achievement in Belgian football. And the truth deserves to be told.
