2020–21 Belgian First Division A

The 2020–21 Belgian First Division A was the 118th season of top-tier football in Belgium. As part of a proposal by the Jupiler Pro League's board of directors accepted by the General Assembly on 15 May 2020, the 2020–21 season would involve shortened playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the top four teams would play for the title, while teams five through eight would play for the remaining ticket into Europe.[1] The league fixtures were announced on 8 July 2020.[2] Club Brugge successfully defended their title from the previous season, finishing level on points in the title play-offs with Racing Genk, as regular season runners-up Royal Antwerp's challenge faded.

Belgian First Division A
Season2020–21
Dates8 August 2020 – 23 May 2021
ChampionsClub Brugge
RelegatedExcel Mouscron
Waasland-Beveren
Champions LeagueClub Brugge
Genk
Europa LeagueRoyal Antwerp
Europa Conference LeagueGent
Anderlecht
Matches played306
Goals scored914 (2.99 per match)
Top goalscorerPaul Onuachu
(30 goals)
Biggest home winGent 5–1 Beerschot
(4 October 2020)
Genk 4–0 Eupen
(30 October 2020)
Gent 4–0 Excel Mouscron
(15 February 2021)
Gent 4–0 Charleroi
(10 April 2021)
Genk 4–0 Sint-Truiden
(11 April 2021)
Biggest away winZulte Waregem 0–6 Club Brugge
(20 September 2020)
Highest scoringKortrijk 5–5 Beerschot
(7 November 2020)
Longest winning run10 matches
Club Brugge
Longest unbeaten run12 matches
Club Brugge
Longest winless run10 matches
Cercle Brugge
Excel Mouscron
Waasland-Beveren
Longest losing run7 matches
Cercle Brugge
All statistics correct as of 20 May 2021.

Team changes

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Waasland-Beveren were originally relegated to the Belgian First Division B, as they were the bottom-placed team when the 2019–20 Belgian First Division A stopped prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, following legal proceedings, they remained in the top-flight, and instead, the league was expanded to 18 teams, with both OH Leuven and Beerschot being promoted (normally only one of them would have gained promotion). Technically, under its current form and owners, Beerschot will make its debut in the top tier of Belgian football, although in reality two teams with the same identity have played at the top level: Beerschot VAC (81 seasons, last in 1990–91) and Beerschot AC (until its bankruptcy at the end of the 2012–13 season, and known as Germinal Beerschot from 1999 until 2011). OH Leuven returned to the top tier after an absence of four seasons, when they dropped to the last place on the ultimate matchday of the 2015–16 season.

Format change

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With now 18 instead of 16 teams, the format has changed somewhat. While the season still starts with an initial round-robin phase in which all teams play each other twice, the end of season play-offs have been shortened temporarily and for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons only. The title playoffs will now only be played by the top four teams (instead of six) and the Europa play-offs will now be played by the teams finishing fifth through eight (instead of all teams finishing below 6th). As a result, for all teams finishing below 8th, the season will be over upon completion of the round-robin phase, with the team in last position being relegated. One exception is the team finishing in 17th position, as this team will play a promotion-relegation play off against the 2nd-place finisher in the 2020–21 Belgian First Division B, with the winner playing in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A.

Teams

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Stadiums and locations

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Locations of the 2020–21 Belgian First Division A teams
Matricule Club Location Venue Capacity
35 Anderlecht Anderlecht Constant Vanden Stock Stadium 21,500
1 Antwerp Antwerp Bosuilstadion 12,975
13 Beerschot Antwerp Olympic Stadium 12,771
12 Cercle Brugge Bruges Jan Breydel Stadium 29,042
22 Charleroi Charleroi Stade du Pays de Charleroi 14,000
3 Club Brugge Bruges Jan Breydel Stadium 29,042
4276 Eupen Eupen Kehrwegstadion 08,363
322 Genk Genk Luminus Arena 24,956
7 Gent Ghent Ghelamco Arena 20,000
19 Kortrijk Kortrijk Guldensporen Stadion 09,399
25 Mechelen Mechelen AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne 16,700
216 Mouscron Mouscron Stade Le Canonnier 10,571
31 Oostende Ostend Versluys Arena 08,432
18 Oud-Heverlee Leuven Leuven Den Dreef 10,000
373 Sint-Truiden Sint-Truiden Stayen 14,600
16 Standard Liège Liège Stade Maurice Dufrasne 30,023
4068 Waasland-Beveren Beveren Freethiel Stadion 08,190
5381 Zulte Waregem Waregem Regenboogstadion 12,500

Number of teams by provinces

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Number of teams Province or region Team(s)
5   West Flanders Cercle Brugge, Club Brugge, Kortrijk, Oostende and Zulte Waregem
3   Antwerp

Antwerp, Beerschot and Mechelen

2   East Flanders Gent and Waasland-Beveren
  Hainaut Charleroi and Mouscron
  Liège Eupen and Standard Liège
  Limburg

Genk and Sint-Truiden

1   Brussels Anderlecht
  Flemish Brabant Oud-Heverlee Leuven

Personnel and kits

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Club Manager Kit Manufacturer Sponsors
Anderlecht   Vincent Kompany[n 1] Joma DVV Insurance (home)
Candriam (away)
Antwerp   Franky Vercauteren[n 2] Jako Ghelamco
Beerschot   Will Still[n 3] XIII[n 4] Yelo
Cercle Brugge   Yves Vanderhaeghe[n 5] Kappa Napoleon Games
Charleroi   Karim Belhocine[n 6] Kappa Lotto
Club Brugge   Philippe Clement Macron Unibet
Eupen   Beñat San José Adidas Qatar Airways
Excel Mouscron   Jorge Simão[n 7] Uhlsport Star Casino
Genk   John van den Brom[n 8] Nike Beobank
Gent   Hein Vanhaezebrouck[n 9] Craft VDK Bank
Kortrijk   Luka Elsner[n 10] Jako AGO Jobs & HR
Mechelen   Wouter Vrancken Jartazi Telenet
OH Leuven   Marc Brys Adidas King Power
Oostende   Alexander Blessin Kipsta Star Casino
Sint-Truiden   Peter Maes[n 11] Macron DMM.com
Standard Liège   Mbaye Leye[n 12] New Balance VOO
Waasland-Beveren   Nicky Hayen Uhlsport Star Casino
Zulte-Waregem   Francky Dury Patrick Napoleon Games

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position Replaced by Date of appointment
Cercle Brugge   Bernd Storck End of contract[3] End of 2019–20 season Pre-season   Paul Clement 3 July 2020[4]
Antwerp   László Bölöni End of contract[5]   Ivan Leko 20 May 2020[6]
Sint-Truiden   Miloš Kostić Mutual consent[7]   Kevin Muscat 2 June 2020[8]
Waasland-Beveren   Dirk Geeraerd (caretaker) Caretaker replaced   Nicky Hayen 4 June 2020 [9]
Oostende   Adnan Čustović Replaced[10]   Alexander Blessin 7 June 2020[10]
Standard Liège   Michel Preud'homme Resigned[11]   Philippe Montanier 10 June 2020[12]
Excel Mouscron   Bernd Hollerbach Mutual consent[13]   Fernando Da Cruz 18 July 2020[14]
Anderlecht   Franky Vercauteren Kompany became sole manager[15] 17 August 2020 3rd   Vincent Kompany 17 August 2020[15]
Gent   Jess Thorup Sacked[16] 20 August 2020 16th   László Bölöni 20 August 2020[16]
Gent   László Bölöni Sacked[17] 14 September 2020 16th   Wim De Decker 14 September 2020
Genk   Hannes Wolf Sacked[18] 15 September 2020 14th   Domenico Olivieri (caretaker) 15 September 2020
Genk   Domenico Olivieri Caretaker replaced[19] 24 September 2020 14th   Jess Thorup 24 September 2020
Excel Mouscron   Fernando Da Cruz Sacked[20] 19 October 2020 18th   Jorge Simão 20 October 2020[21]
Genk   Jess Thorup Hired by   Copenhagen[22] 2 November 2020 7th   John van den Brom[23] 8 November 2020 [n 13]
Sint-Truiden   Kevin Muscat Sacked[24] 1 December 2020 16th   Stef Van Winckel (caretaker) 1 December 2020
Gent   Wim De Decker Sacked[25] 3 December 2020 12th   Hein Vanhaezebrouck[26] 4 December 2020
Sint-Truiden   Stef Van Winckel Caretaker replaced[27] 7 December 2020 17th   Peter Maes[27] 7 December 2020
Standard Liège   Philippe Montanier Sacked[28] 26 December 2020 11th   Mbaye Leye[29] 30 December 2020
Antwerp   Ivan Leko Hired by   Shanghai SIPG[30] 29 December 2020 5th   Franky Vercauteren[31] 4 January 2021
Beerschot   Hernán Losada Hired by   D.C. United[32] 17 January 2021 10th   Will Still[33] 19 January 2021
Kortrijk   Yves Vanderhaeghe Sacked[34] 31 January 2021 15th   Luka Elsner[34] 31 January 2021
Cercle Brugge   Paul Clement Sacked[35] 1 February 2021 17th   Yves Vanderhaeghe[36] 3 February 2021


Regular season

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Club Brugge (C) 34 24 4 6 73 26 +47 76 Qualification for the Europa Conference League and Play-offs I[a]
2 Antwerp 34 18 6 10 57 48 +9 60 Qualification for the Play-offs I
3 Anderlecht 34 15 13 6 51 34 +17 58
4 Genk[b] 34 16 8 10 67 48 +19 56
5 Oostende[c] 34 15 8 11 49 41 +8 53 Qualification for the Play-offs II
6 Standard Liège 34 13 11 10 52 41 +11 50
7 Gent 34 14 7 13 55 42 +13 49
8 Mechelen 34 13 9 12 54 54 0 48
9 Beerschot 34 14 5 15 58 64 −6 47
10 Zulte Waregem 34 14 4 16 53 69 −16 46
11 OH Leuven 34 12 9 13 54 59 −5 45
12 Eupen 34 10 13 11 44 55 −11 43
13 Charleroi 34 11 9 14 46 49 −3 42
14 Kortrijk 34 11 6 17 44 57 −13 39
15 Sint-Truiden 34 10 8 16 41 52 −11 38
16 Cercle Brugge 34 11 3 20 40 51 −11 36
17 Waasland-Beveren (R) 34 8 7 19 44 70 −26 31 Qualification for the Relegation play-off
18 Excel Mouscron[c] (R) 34 7 10 17 32 54 −22 31 Relegation to First Division B
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off.[40]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ The regular season winners will qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League if they do not qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League in the playoffs or for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League through the 2020–21 Belgian Cup.
  2. ^ Genk qualifies for at least the play-off round of the Europa League through winning the 2021 Belgian Cup.
  3. ^ a b On 14 April 2021 news was released that both Excel Mouscron and Oostende had not received a Belgian professional football license for the coming season, a requirement to play at the top two levels of Belgian football. For Oostende, a lack of financial transparency, together with generally poor quality and incompleteness of the submitted report, was given as the main reason by the committee for not awarding a license, while Excel Mouscron was refused a license as besides insufficient transparency, the committee also questioned several cash flows and whether the club was creditworthy in general, also due to the fact that the wages for the months of February and March had not yet been paid at that point. For Excel Mouscron, it was already the sixth year running the license was (initially) refused, however, the club has appealed the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitrage (BAS) successfully on each occasion and intended to do so again. Oostende was planning to launch an appeal as well, with the BAS to rule on the matter for both clubs before the 10th of May. Both clubs were allowed to add new documents to their case, but in case they however still did not receive a license after appeal, knew they would have been forced to relegate to the 2021–22 Belgian Division 2 and start the season with a 3-point penalty.[37] Both Excel Mouscron and Oostende were however eventually awarded a license after appeal, meaning Oostende remained at the top level, while Excel Mouscron only dropped one level.[38][39]

Results

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Home \ Away CLU ANT AND GNK OOS STA GNT KVM BEE ZWA OHL EUP CHA KVK STR CER W-B EXM
Club Brugge 0–2 3–1 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–0 1–2 0–2 2–1 2–3 2–1 1–0 0–1
Antwerp 2–0 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 3–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–1 1–1
Anderlecht 1–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–1 3–2 1–0 0–1 0–3 3–0 3–2 1–1 1–1
Genk 0–0 1–1 4–0 3–0 3–0 1–1 0–0 2–1 2–4 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–2 2–1 2–3 3–0 4–1
Oostende 2–3 4–2 1–1 0–0 0–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–4 1–2 0–2 2–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 4–0
Standard Liège 1–1 0–0 0–2 1–0 2–1 4–1 1–2 2–1 4–3 0–2 2–1 3–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 1–2 0–0
Gent 0–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 2–1 0–2 1–2 3–0 1–3 1–0 3–1 1–2
Mechelen 0–0 2–0 1–2 1–2 1–0 0–1 2–2 2–1 3–1 1–0 3–1 0–3 2–1 1–4 4–0 1–0 2–2
Beerschot 3–1 2–1 1–3 0–3 1–2 0–1 0–1 2–0 0–2 2–1 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–0
Zulte Waregem 1–2 1–1 3–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 1–5 3–1 4–2 2–1 4–1 0–3 2–0 3–0
OH Leuven 2–1 3–0 0–0 1–3 0–1 4–0 1–4 2–2 0–0 1–0 4–2 0–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 0–0 0–1
Eupen 1–1 1–0 4–2 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 3–4 1–1 3–1 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–0
Charleroi 2–2 3–0 1–2 1–2 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 2–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 2–1
Kortrijk 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–2 3–5 0–0 1–5 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–0
Sint-Truiden 1–1 2–0 0–1 0–2 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 3–0 1–0 1–2 0–2 3–0
Cercle Brugge 2–1 1–1 2–1 0–2 0–0 3–5 0–2 1–0 3–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–1
Waasland-Beveren 2–0 4–2 1–2 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 0–2 4–0 0–0 1–0 5–0 0–0
Excel Mouscron 2–1 3–0 1–1 4–0 0–1 1–2 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 2–2 0–1 1–2 1–1 0–1
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Play-offs

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Play-Off I

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The points obtained during the regular season were halved (and rounded up) before the start of the playoff. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the playoff: Club Brugge 38, Antwerp 30, Anderlecht 29 and Genk 28.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation CLU GNK ANT AND
1 Club Brugge (C) 6 1 3 2 8 11 −3 44 Qualification for the Champions League group stage 1–2 2–1 2–2
2 Genk 6 5 1 0 15 5 +10 44 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round 3–0 4–0 1–1
3 Antwerp 6 1 2 3 6 11 −5 35 Qualification for the Europa League play-off round 0–0 2–3 1–0
4 Anderlecht 6 0 4 2 9 11 −2 33 Qualification for the Europa Conference League third qualifying round 3–3 1–2 2–2
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points without (possible) half points added due to rounding; 3) Regular season finishing position.[41]
(C) Champions

Play-Off II

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The points obtained during the regular season were halved (and rounded up) before the start of the playoff. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the playoff: Oostende 27, Standard 25, Gent 25 and Mechelen 24. The points of Oostende and Gent were rounded up, therefore in case of any ties on points at the end of the playoffs, the half point will be deducted for these teams.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation GNT MEC OOS STA
1 Gent 6 4 1 1 13 6 +7 38 Qualification for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round 2–2 2–1 2–0
2 Mechelen 6 3 2 1 15 11 +4 35 1–2 5–3 3–1
3 Oostende 6 2 1 3 15 16 −1 34 0–4 2–2 6–2
4 Standard Liège 6 1 0 5 7 17 −10 28 2–1 1–2 1–3
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points without (possible) half points added due to rounding; 3) Regular season finishing position.[42]

European competition play-offs

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Originally, the fourth-placed team of the play-offs I (or third-placed team if the regular season winners finish fourth) and the first-placed team of the play-offs II would play two home-and-away matches to determine the Europa Conference League play-off winner, which would qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League. However, since Genk, winners of the 2020–21 Belgian Cup, finished in the regular season top four and qualified for play-offs I, this guaranteed that all four teams of play-offs I would qualify for European competitions. As a result, the play-off final was not played, and the first-placed team of the play-offs II, KAA Gent, qualified for the second qualifying round of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.[citation needed]

Promotion-Relegation play-off

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The team finishing in 17th place competes in a two-legged match with the runner-up of the 2020–21 Belgian First Division B, with the aggregate winner to play in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A, while the losing team will take part in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B.[citation needed]

On 11 April 2021, Seraing from the Belgian First Division B qualified for the promotion-relegation playoff as a loss by Lommel against Union SG meant Seraing could no longer be overtaken for second place. On 8 May 2021, Seraing was promoted to the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A after a 6–3 aggregate win in the two-legged series and Waasland-Beveren was relegated to the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B.

Seraing1–1Waasland-Beveren
Report
Attendance: 0
Referee: Lawrence Visser
Waasland-Beveren2–5Seraing
Report

Seraing won 6–3 on aggregate.

Season statistics

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Top scorers - regular season only

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As of matches played on 18 April 2021.[43]
Rank Player Club Goals
1   Paul Onuachu Genk 30
2   Thomas Henry OH Leuven 21
3   Gianni Bruno Zulte Waregem 20
4   Yuma Suzuki Sint-Truiden 17
  Roman Yaremchuk Gent
6   Raphael Holzhauser Beerschot 16
  Ike Ugbo Cercle Brugge
8   Smail Prevljak Eupen 15
9   Theo Bongonda Genk 14
  Noa Lang Club Brugge
  Lukas Nmecha Anderlecht

Top assists

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As of matches played on 18 April 2021.
Rank Player Club Assists
1   Raphael Holzhauser Beerschot 16
  Xavier Mercier OH Leuven
3   Andrew Hjulsager Oostende 10
  Junya Ito Genk
5   Ruud Vormer Club Brugge 9
6   Lior Refaelov Antwerp 8
7   Omar Govea Zulte Waregem 7
  Noa Lang Club Brugge
  Ryota Morioka Charleroi
  Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe Gent
  Rob Schoofs Mechelen
  Faïz Selemani Kortrijk
  Hans Vanaken Club Brugge

Awards

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Annual awards

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Award Winner Club
Player of the Year   Paul Onuachu Genk
Top goalscorer
Manager of the Year   Alexander Blessin Oostende
Breakthrough of the Year   Noa Lang Club Brugge
Team of the Year[44]
Goalkeeper   Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)
Defence   Clinton Mata

(Club Brugge)

  Arthur Theate

(Oostende)

  Ritchie De Laet (Royal Antwerp)
Midfield   Lior Refaelov

(Royal Antwerp)

  Bryan Heynen

(Genk)

  Raphael Holzhauser

(Loreken)

 

Xavier Mercier (OH Leuven)

Attack   Junya Ito (Genk)   Paul Onuachu (Genk)   Noa Lang

(Club Brugge)

Notes

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  1. ^ During the first two matchdays, Kompany &   Franky Vercauteren were co-managing the squad, with Kompany also registered as player (though not playing through injury). However thereafter Kompany stopped his playing career and became the sole manager of the squad.
  2. ^   Ivan Leko was the manager for matchdays 1 through 19.
  3. ^   Hernán Losada was the manager for matchdays 1 through 21.
  4. ^ An apparel brand made by club.
  5. ^   Paul Clement was the manager for matchdays 1 through 25.
  6. ^   Karim Belhocine was the manager for all matches of the regular season, after which he was sacked but remained manager until the last training session of the season. Note that Charleroi had not qualified for the play-offs and hence had no more matches scheduled.
  7. ^   Fernando Da Cruz was managing the team for matchdays 1 to 9.
  8. ^   Hannes Wolf was manager for matchdays 1 to 4,   Domenico Olivieri was caretaker manager on matchdays 5 and 12; and   Jess Thorup managed the club from matchdays 6 through 11.
  9. ^   Jess Thorup was the manager for matchdays 1 and 2,   László Bölöni led the club for matchdays 3 through 5 and   Wim De Decker was in charge on matchdays 6 through 14.
  10. ^   Yves Vanderhaeghe was the manager for matchdays 1 through 25.
  11. ^   Kevin Muscat was the manager for matchdays 1 through 14 and   Stef Van Winckel was caretaker manager on matchday 15.
  12. ^   Philippe Montanier was the manager for matchdays 1 through 19.
  13. ^ While van den Brom was announced on 6 November 2020, caretaker Domenico Olivieri was still leading the group during the match of 7 November 2020 against Sint-Truiden, with van den Brom only officially taking charge of 8 November 2020.

References

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  1. ^ "Communicatie na de Algemene Vergadering". Jupiler Pro League. 15 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Club Brugge - Charleroi is de opener van het seizoen en meteen maandagvoetbal: Ontdek hier de kalender van het seizoen 2020/21". 8 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Cercle Brugge ziet zijn redder vertrekken: Bernd Storck gaat niet in op voorstel" [Cercle Brugge sees saviour depart: Bernd Storck does not accept proposition] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 22 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Voormalige rechterhand van Carlo Ancelotti wordt nieuwe coach van Cercle" [Carlo Ancelotti's former right-hand man becomes Cercle's new manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 3 July 2020.
  5. ^ "OFFICIEEL: Geen Bölöni meer volgend seizoen bij Antwerp" [OFFICIAL: No Bölöni anymore next season at Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 14 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Ivan Leko volgt Laszlo Bölöni op als coach van Antwerp" [Ivan Leko succeeds Laszlo Bölöni as Antwerp manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 20 May 2020.
  7. ^ "STVV EN MILOS KOSTIC NEMEN AFSCHEID" [STVV AND MILOS KOSTIC SAY GOODBYE] (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Muscat is nieuwe STVV-coach, Kostic hield enkel stoel warm: "Plan van Japanners"" [Muscat new STVV-manager, Kostic was only keeping his seat warm: "Japanese Plan"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Waasland-Beveren presenteert Nicky Hayen als nieuwe trainer" [Waasland-Beveren presents Nicky Hayen as nieuwe manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 4 June 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Duitser Blessin wordt de nieuwe coach van KV Oostende" [German Blessin becomes new manager of KV Oostende] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 7 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Michel Preud'homme stopt als hoofdcoach bij Standard: "Eerlijk zijn met jezelf"" [Michel Preud'homme quits as Standard manager: "Have to be fair to yourself"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 8 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Standard tovert Philippe Montanier uit zijn hoed als nieuwe trainer" [Standard comes up with Philippe Montanier as new manager by surprise] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Moeskroen en coach Bernd Hollerbach gaan uit mekaar" [Mouscron and manager Hollerbach part ways] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Gérard Lopez: "Ik neem Moeskroen over, niet Rijsel"" [Gérard Lopez: "I'm the one taking over Mouscron, not Lille"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 18 July 2020.
  15. ^ a b "BREAKING: Vincent Kompany stopt met voetballen en wordt coach van Anderlecht" [BREAKING: Vincent Kompany stops as footballer and becomes manager of Anderlecht] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 17 August 2020.
  16. ^ a b "AA Gent stuurt Jess Thorup al na 2 matchen de laan uit" [AA Gent sacks Jess Thorup after just 2 matches] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 20 August 2020.
  17. ^ "AA Gent zet Bölöni na 25 dagen alweer aan de deur" [AA Gent sacks Bölöni after just 25 days] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 14 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Racing Genk neemt afscheid van trainer Hannes Wolf" [RC Genk says goodbye to coach Hannes Wolf] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 15 September 2020.
  19. ^ "KRC Genk vist Jess Thorup weer op als nieuwe hoofdtrainer" [KRC Genk revives Jess Thorup as manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 24 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Rode lantaarn Moeskroen zegt vertrouwen in trainer Da Cruz op" [Red lantern Mouscron no longer has confidence in manager Da Cruz] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 19 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Moeskroen haalt zijn nieuwe coach in Portugal: Jorge Simao" [Mouscron finds new manager in Portugal: Jorge Simao] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 20 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Trainer Jess Thorup ruilt Racing Genk voor Kopenhagen: "Het spijt me"" [Manager Jess Thorup exchanges Racing Genk for Copenhagen: "I'm sorry"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2 November 2020.
  23. ^ "OFFICIEEL: John van den Brom is de nieuwe trainer van Racing Genk" [OFFICIAL: John van den Brom new manager of Racing Genk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 6 November 2020.
  24. ^ "STVV ontslaat coach Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition als opvolger" [STVV sacks manager Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition as replacement] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 1 December 2020.
  25. ^ "AA Gent zet coach Wim De Decker op straat na 0 op 15 in Europa League" [AA Gent sacks manager Wim De Decker following 0 out of 15 in Europa League] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 3 December 2020.
  26. ^ "AA Gent legt zijn lot opnieuw in handen van Hein Vanhaezebrouck" [AA Gent places its fate in hands of Hein Vanhaezebrouck again] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 4 December 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Peter Maes wordt de nieuwe coach van STVV" [Peter Maes becomes the new STVV manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 7 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Het kon niet blijven duren: Standard zet Montanier op straat na reeks slechte resultaten" [Inevitable: Standard sacks Montanier following string of bad results] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 26 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Standard geeft ex-assistent Mbaye Leye nu toch een kans als hoofdcoach" [Standard gives former assistant manager Mbaye Leye a chance as head coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 30 December 2020.
  30. ^ "Officieel: Ivan Leko verlaat Antwerp voor Chinees avontuur" [Official: Ivan Leko leaves Antwerp for Chinese adventure] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 29 December 2020.
  31. ^ "OFFICIEEL: Frank Vercauteren is de nieuwe coach van Antwerp" [OFFICIAL: Frank Vercauteren new manager of Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 30 December 2020.
  32. ^ "Hernan Losada verlaat Beerschot voor American dream in MLS" [Hernan Losada leaves Beerschot for American dream in MLS] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 17 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Assistent Will Still volgt Losada op als hoofdcoach van Beerschot" [Assistant Will Still succeeds Losada as head coach at Beerschot] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 19 January 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Kortrijk zet coach Yves Vanderhaeghe op straat, Luka Elsner neemt over" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 31 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Degradatiestress slaat toe: Cercle Brugge neemt afscheid van coach Clement" [Relegation stress kicks in: Cercle Brugge says goodbye to manager Clement] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 1 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Cercle Brugge rekent op Yves Vanderhaeghe voor redding" [Cercle Brugge counts on Yves Vanderhaeghe to avoid relegation] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 3 February 2021.
  37. ^ "KV Oostende en Moeskroen krijgen (weer) geen licentie in eerste zit" [KV Oostende and (again) Mouscron don't receive a license at their first attempt] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  38. ^ "KV Oostende krijgt licentie van BAS, afwachten voor Moeskroen" [KV Oostende awarded license by BAS, Mouscron still waiting] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Degradant Moeskroen bemachtigt via BAS opnieuw een licentie" [Relegated Mouscron again obtains license after appeal at BAS] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  41. ^ "BOEK P" [BOOK P] (PDF). Belgian FA. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  42. ^ "BOEK P" [BOOK P] (PDF). Belgian FA. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Jupiler Pro League Top Scorer". Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  44. ^ Africa Facts Zone [@AfricaFactsZone] (28 August 2021). "Paul Onuachu and Clinton Mata were included in the 2020/2021 Belgian Jupiler Pro League Golden Eleven. https://t.co/KjzLPcda7s" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023 – via Twitter.
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