2021–22 Belgian First Division A
Season | 2021–22 |
---|---|
Dates | 23 July 2021 – 22 May 2022 |
Matches played | 52 |
Goals scored | 159 (3.06 per match) |
Top goalscorer | ![]() (7 goals) |
Biggest home win | Gent 6–1 Club Brugge (29 August 2021) |
Biggest away win | Oostende 0–3 Charleroi (24 July 2021) Beerschot 0-3 Union SG (7 August 2021) Standard Liège 2–5 Antwerp (8 August 2021) |
Highest scoring | Genk 3–4 Oostende (30 July 2021) Standard Liège 2–5 Antwerp (8 August 2021) Gent 6–1 Club Brugge (29 August 2021) |
Longest winning run | 3 matches Genk |
Longest unbeaten run | 6 matches Charleroi |
Longest winless run | 6 matches Beerschot OH Leuven |
Longest losing run | 4 matches Beerschot |
← 2020–21 →
All statistics correct as of 29 August 2021. |
The 2021–22 Belgian First Division A (officially known as Jupiler Pro League due to sponsorship reasons) is the 119th season of top-tier football in Belgium.
Team changes[]
On the final matchday, Royal Excel Mouscron was overtaken by Waasland-Beveren, pushing them into a direct relegation spot and thus causing the Mouscron team to return to the second level after six seasons. Waasland-Beveren would eventually face the same fate as a few weeks later they lost the Relegation play-off against Seraing, ending a span of nearly a decade at the top level.
The team from Seraing is a newcomer at the highest level, although a former team with the same name, R.F.C. Seraing (1904), last played at the top level 25 seasons ago and many supporters see the current Seraing as a continuation of the former. The place of Excel Mouscron was taken by 2020–21 Belgian First Division B champions and former Belgian giants Union SG, who return to the top level after 48 years and already gained 11 Belgian Championship titles, mostly in the 1900s and 1930s.
Format change[]
Originally, as decided in 2020, the clubs agreed to reduce the number of teams again to 16 following the 2021–22 season, as due to the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally no teams were relegated from the 2019–20 Belgian First Division A, which causing the league to temporarily expand to 18. This would mean that there would be three teams relegating from the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A with only one team promoted from the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B. However, on 14 June 2021, the clubs agreed to keep playing with 18 teams at the highest level up to (and including) the 2022–23 season, meaning that the 2021–22 Belgian First Division would continue the format of the previous season, with only one team relegating and the penultimate team playing a play-off match against the runner-up up the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B to avoid relegation. The title and Europa League playoffs remain shortened, with only the top four teams playing for the title and number 5 through 8 playing the Europa League playoffs. For the teams finishing in positions 9 through 16, the season ends immediately following the regular season. The request to keep playing with 18 teams at the highest level was mainly coming from the smaller teams which were already struggling following the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bigger clubs agreed to continue the current format but demanded that U23 teams be permanently added to the lower leagues. As such, the intention is that from the 2022–23 season on, there will be 4 U23 teams playing added to each of the second, third and fourth level of Belgian football, with the final standings of the 2021–22 U23 league to determine which team will start at which level.[1]
Teams[]
Stadiums and locations[]
![2021–22 Belgian First Division A is located in Belgium](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Belgium_location_map.svg/450px-Belgium_location_map.svg.png)
![Anderlecht Anderlecht](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Antwerp Antwerp](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Black_pog.svg/8px-Black_pog.svg.png)
![Bruges Bruges](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Black_pog.svg/8px-Black_pog.svg.png)
![Mechelen Mechelen](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Eupen Eupen](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![OH Leuven OH Leuven](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Sint-Truiden Sint-Truiden](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Union SG Union SG](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Antwerp teams Antwerp Beerschot Bruges teams Cercle Brugge Club Brugge Antwerp teams Antwerp Beerschot Bruges teams Cercle Brugge Club Brugge](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/TransparentPlaceholder.png/1px-TransparentPlaceholder.png)
Matricule | Club | Location | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
35 | Anderlecht | Anderlecht | Lotto Park | 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 | 8,363 |
322 | Genk | Genk | Luminus Arena | 24,956 |
7 | Gent | Ghent | Ghelamco Arena | 20,000 |
19 | Kortrijk | Kortrijk | Guldensporen Stadion | 9,399 |
25 | Mechelen | Mechelen | AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne | 16,700 |
31 | Oostende | Ostend | Versluys Arena | 8,432 |
18 | Oud-Heverlee Leuven | Leuven | Den Dreef | 10,000 |
167 | Seraing | Seraing | 8,207 | |
373 | Sint-Truiden | Sint-Truiden | Stayen | 14,600 |
16 | Standard Liège | Liège | Stade Maurice Dufrasne | 30,023 |
10 | Union SG | Saint-Gilles | Stade Joseph Marien | 8,000 |
5381 | Zulte Waregem | Waregem | Regenboogstadion | 12,500 |
Personnel and kits[]
Club | Manager | Kit Manufacturer | Sponsors |
---|---|---|---|
Anderlecht | ![]() |
Joma | DVV Insurance (home) Candriam (away) |
Antwerp | ![]() |
Jako | Ghelamco |
Beerschot | ![]() |
XIII[n 2] | Yelo |
Cercle Brugge | ![]() |
Kappa | Napoleon Games |
Charleroi | ![]() |
Kappa | Lotto |
Club Brugge | ![]() |
Macron | Unibet |
Eupen | ![]() |
Adidas | Qatar Airways |
Genk | ![]() |
Nike | Beobank |
Gent | ![]() |
Craft | VDK Bank |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Jako | AGO Jobs & HR |
Mechelen | ![]() |
Erreà | Telenet |
OH Leuven | ![]() |
Adidas | King Power |
Oostende | ![]() |
Kipsta | Star Casino |
Seraing | ![]() |
Kappa | Star Casino |
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Macron | DMM.com |
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Adidas | VOO |
Union SG | ![]() |
Le Coq Sportif | Lotto |
Zulte-Waregem | ![]() |
Patrick | Napoleon Games |
Managerial changes[]
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charleroi | ![]() |
Sacked[2] | End of 2020–21 season [n 3] | Pre-season | ![]() |
16 May 2021[3] |
Eupen | ![]() |
Left[4] | ![]() |
9 June 2021[5] | ||
Beerschot | ![]() |
Replaced[6] | ![]() |
20 May 2021[6] | ||
Seraing | ![]() |
Left for coaching position at Gent[7][8] | ![]() |
28 May 2021[9] | ||
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Left for Beerschot[6] | ![]() |
5 June 2021[10] | ||
Antwerp | ![]() |
Replaced by Priske[11] | ![]() |
29 May 2021[11] | ||
Beerschot | ![]() |
Sacked[12] | 15 September 2021 | 18th | ![]() |
15 September 2021[12] |
Number of teams by provinces[]
Number of teams | Province or region | Team(s) |
---|---|---|
5 | ![]() |
Cercle Brugge, Club Brugge, Kortrijk, Oostende and Zulte Waregem |
3 | ![]() |
Antwerp, Beerschot and Mechelen |
![]() |
Eupen, Seraing and Standard Liège | |
2 | ![]() |
Anderlecht and Union SG |
![]() |
Genk and Sint-Truiden | |
1 | ![]() |
Gent |
![]() |
Oud-Heverlee Leuven | |
![]() |
Charleroi |
Regular season[]
League table[]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Club Brugge | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 14 | Qualification for the Europa Conference League and Play-offs I[a] |
2 | Union SG | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 13 | Qualification for the Play-offs I |
3 | Standard Liège | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 13 | |
4 | Charleroi | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 8 | +7 | 13 | |
5 | Genk | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 11 | Qualification for the Play-offs II |
6 | Eupen | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 11 | |
7 | Anderlecht | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 8 | +6 | 10 | |
8 | Kortrijk | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 10 | |
9 | Sint-Truiden | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 10 | |
10 | Seraing | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 9 | |
11 | Oostende | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 14 | −6 | 9 | |
12 | Antwerp | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 8 | |
13 | Cercle Brugge | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | |
14 | Zulte Waregem | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 14 | −3 | 8 | |
15 | Gent | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 7 | |
16 | Mechelen | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 18 | −7 | 7 | |
17 | OH Leuven | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 14 | −6 | 7 | Qualification for the Relegation play-off |
18 | Beerschot | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 16 | −10 | 1 | Relegation to |
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.[13]
Notes:
- ^ The regular season winners will qualify for the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League if they do not qualify for the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League in the playoffs or for the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League through the 2021–22 Belgian Cup.
Positions by round[]
The table lists the positions of teams after completion of each round.
Results[]
Results by round[]
Season statistics[]
- As of 11 September 2021
Top scorers & assists[]
Source: Soccerway
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Antwerp | 8 |
2 | ![]() |
Zulte Waregem | 6 |
3 | ![]() |
Union SG | 5 |
![]() |
Union SG | ||
5 | ![]() |
Genk | 4 |
![]() |
Zulte Waregem | ||
![]() |
Seraing | ||
![]() |
Charleroi | ||
![]() |
Kortrijk | ||
![]() |
Mechelen |
Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Club Brugge | 4 |
![]() |
Genk | ||
3 | ![]() |
Charleroi | 3 |
![]() |
Eupen | ||
![]() |
Union SG | ||
6 | 16 players | 2 |
Notes[]
- ^
Peter Maes was the manager for matchdays 1 through 7.
- ^ An apparel brand made by club.
- ^ Belhocine and Charleroi announced their separation on 20 April 2021, but Belhocine would remain in charge for the remaining training sessions. Charleroi had no more matches left as it had not qualified for any of the play-offs and hence was in no rush to appoint a new manager.
References[]
- ^ https://sporza.be/nl/2021/06/14/pro-league-kiest-voor-nog-minstens-2-seizoenen-1a-met-18-teams~1623672317217/
- ^ "Charleroi ontslaat trainer Karim Belhocine na slechte resultaten" [Charleroi sacks manager Karim Belhocine following poor results] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Edward Still (30) debuteert als hoofdcoach in Charleroi" [Edward Still (30) to make debut as manager at Charleroi] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-05-16.
- ^ "Eupen ziet zijn Spaanse coach vertrekken: "Tijd voor nieuwe uitdaging"" [Eupen sees Spanish manager depart: "Time for new challenge"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-04-27.
- ^ "Eupen heeft nieuwe trainer beet: Duitser Stefan Krämer neemt over" [Eupen snatches new manager: German Stefan Krämer takes over] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-06-09.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Peter Maes neemt het stuur over bij Beerschot, STVV "betreurt" die beslissing" [Peter Maes takes control at Beerschot, STVV "regrets" decision] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-05-20.
- ^ "Emilio Ferrera Quitte Seraing" [Emilio Ferrera Quitte Seraing] (in French). Walfoot.be. 2021-05-17.
- ^ "Emilio Ferrera (53) ruilt promovendus Seraing voor een job bij AA Gent" [Emilio Ferrera (53) exchanges promoted Seraing for a job at AA Gent] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Seraing trekt met Jordi Condom als coach naar 1A" [Seraing moves to 1A with Jordi Condom as manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-05-28.
- ^ "Bernd Hollerbach (ex-Moeskroen) volgt Peter Maes op als coach van STVV" [Bernd Hollerbach (ex-Mouscron) succeeds Peter Maes as manager of STVV] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2020-06-05.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Officieel: Brian Priske volgt Frank Vercauteren op als coach van Antwerp" [Official: Brian Priske succeeds Frank Vercauteren as manager of Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-05-29.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Beerschot zorgt voor eerste trainersontslag: Peter Maes moet weg na 1 op 21" [Beerschot causes first managerial sacking: Peter Maes told to go after 1 out of 21] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2021-09-15.
- ^ "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Associtation Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- Belgian First Division A seasons
- 2021–22 in European association football leagues
- 2021–22 in Belgian football