2023–24_Belgian_Pro_League

2023–24 Belgian Pro League

2023–24 Belgian Pro League

121st season of top-tier football in Belgium

The 2023–24 Belgian Pro League (officially known as the Jupiler Pro League due to sponsorship reasons) is the 121st season of top-tier football in Belgium. Club Brugge crowned themselves champion for the 19th time in their history.

Quick Facts Season, Dates ...

Format change

After 3 seasons, Belgian Pro League returns to the "old" format featuring the number of teams reduced from 18 to 16 and with similar playoffs as it was pre-COVID-19. After the regular season the top six teams qualify for the Champions' Play-offs (commonly called "Play-offs I"), teams from 7th to 12th place will qualify for the Europe Play-offs (commonly called "Play-offs II"), but most importantly the number of teams relegating increases from one to either two or three, as the bottom four teams (13th through 16th) will play relegation playoffs after completion of which the two last teams will be relegated directly, with the team finishing 14th overall to play the 3rd-place finisher of the Challenger Pro League for the final spot in the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League.[1]

Teams

Due to the league format change which reduced the number of teams back from 18 to 16, the bottom three teams had been relegated to the Challenger Pro League: Oostende (after ten seasons), Seraing (after two seasons) and Zulte Waregem (after 18 seasons). They were replaced by RWD Molenbeek, the winner of the 2022–23 Challenger Pro League. Officially, this club will play their first-ever season in the top flight, but the club sees itself as the successor of the former RWD Molenbeek, one-time Belgian champion, which last played at the highest level in 2002. Another distinct successor team with similar name RWDM Brussels also played four seasons at the highest level from 2004 to 2008.

Stadiums and locations

Locations of the 2023–24 Belgian Pro League teams
More information Matricule, Club ...

Number of teams by provinces

More information Number of teams, Province or region ...

Personnel and kits

More information Club, Manager ...

Managerial changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...

Regular season

League table

More information Pos, Team ...
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.[37]
Notes:
  1. The regular season winner will qualify for the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League if not earning 2024–25 UEFA Champions League in the playoff.

Results

More information Home \ Away, USG ...
Source: Kalender eerste klasse A 2023-24
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Play-offs

Champions' Play-offs

The Champions' Play-offs will decide the overall league champion. The top six teams of the Regular season qualify and play a round-robin tournament, with each team starting with half the points obtained during the regular season. The starting points are rounded up, in case of ties in standings at the end of the Champions' Play-offs, any half points gained are deducted first.

The points of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Cercle Brugge and Genk were rounded up, and thus in the event of a tie on points, Union SG and Antwerp will always be ranked ahead of those four teams.

The teams finishing in the top four positions after conclusion of the Champions' Play-offs qualify for European football, with the team in position five facing the winner of the Europe Play-offs for the final ticket.

More information Pos, Team ...
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.[38]
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. Union SG qualified for the Europa League play-off round by winning the 2023–24 Belgian Cup. The Europa League second qualifying spot and the European competition play-off spot will be passed to the next two highest-placed teams that do not qualify for European competitions.

Europe Play-offs

The Europe Play-offs will be played by the teams in positions 7 through 12 at the conclusion of the Regular season. Teams play a round-robin tournament, with each team starting with half the points obtained during the regular season. The starting points are rounded up, in case of ties in standings at the end of the Europe Play-offs, any half points gained are deducted first.

The points of Gent, Mechelen and OH Leuven were rounded up, and thus in the event of a tie on points, Sint-Truiden, Standard Liège and Westerlo will always be ranked ahead of those three teams.

The winner of the Europe Play-offs faces the team finishing fifth in the Champions' Play-offs to decide which team qualifies for European football.

More information Pos, Team ...
Updated to match(es) played on 25 May 2024. 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.[40]
(O) Play-off winners
Notes:
  1. The match between Standard and Westerlo of 10 May 2024 could not be played as Standard supporters prevented the bus of Standard to depart to the stadium. It is now up to the Belgian FA to judge who is to blame and whether Westerlo will win the match with a forfeit score, or whether the match will be replayed. On Tuesday the 28 May the desscion has be made that Standard has done to less to prevent the match to being played as result of that they give Westerlo a 0-5 win [39]

European competition play-off

Single match between the fifth place finisher of the Champions' Play-offs and Gent, the winner of the Europe Play-offs, with home advantage to the team from the Champions' Play-offs. The winner qualifies for European football.

Normally the fourth team of the Champions' Play-offs would be facing the winner of the Europe Play-offs, but as Union SG won the 2023–24 Belgian Cup on 9 May 2024 and was already guaranteed of finishing in the top four, instead the fifth-placed team of the Champions' Play-offs will face Gent.

More information Genk, 0–1 ...

Relegation Play-offs

The bottom four teams after the regular season play the Relegation Play-offs, a round-robin tournament in which they start with the full points obtained during the regular season. The teams finishing in third and fourth at the conclusion of the Relegation Play-offs will be relegated to the 2024–25 Challenger Pro League, the team finishing in second place has to play the winner of the Promotion Play-offs, with the winner of that match playing in the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League.

Charleroi did not lose a single match during the playoffs and was already mathematically certain after four matchdays of not being relegated. Eupen was relegated after five matchdays, following a loss at Kortrijk. On the final matchday on 11 May 2024, to avoid direct relegation RWD Molenbeek needed to win (at Eupen) and hope Kortrijk would not win (at Charleroi). Kortrijk did lose, but so did RWDM, sending Kortrijk to the Promotion/relegation play-offs for an ultimate chance at avoiding relegation, while directly relegating RWD Molenbeek back to the Challenger Pro League.

More information Pos, Team ...
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Regular season finishing position.[41]
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated

Promotion/relegation play-offs

The promotion/relegation play-offs are contested by the teams finishing in positions 3 to 6 in the 2023–24 Challenger Pro League, who meet in a knockout tournament with both semi-finals and a final over two legs and the highest season finisher always having home advantage in the return leg. The winner of the final plays the 14th place finisher of the 2023–24 Belgian Pro League over two legs. The Belgian Pro League team has home advantage in the return leg, the winner of the barrage will play in the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League, the loser in the 2024–25 Challenger Pro League.

Bracket

SemifinalsFinalBarrage
5Zulte Waregem101
14Kortrijk145
4Lommel112
4Lommel1234Lommel022
3Deinze112
6Patro Eisden Maasmechelen011
3Deinze426

Semifinals

More information Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, 0–4 ...
Patrostadion, Maasmechelen
More information Deinze, 2–1 ...
Dakota Arena, Deinze
More information Zulte Waregem, 1–1 ...
More information Lommel, 1–0 ...
Soevereinstadion, Lommel

Final

More information Lommel, 1–1 ...
Soevereinstadion, Lommel
More information Deinze, 1–2 ...
Dakota Arena, Deinze

Barrage

More information Lommel, 0–1 ...
Soevereinstadion, Lommel
Referee: L. Visser
More information Kortrijk, 4–2 (a.e.t.) ...

Season statistics

As of 27 May 2024

Despite teams not playing the same amount of matches due to the play-offs, goals during the play-offs do count in determining the top scorer.

Top goalscorers

Cercle Brugge's Kévin Denkey is the season's current top scorer with 27 goals.
More information Rank, Player ...

Clean sheets

More information Rank, Player ...

Discipline

Player

Club

  • Most yellow cards: 93[46]
    • Union SG
  • Fewest yellow cards: 49[46]
    • Gent
  • Most red cards: 7[47]
    • Genk
  • Fewest red cards: 1[47]
    • Mechelen
    • Sint-Truiden

Notes

  1. [n 1]
    Belgium Felice Mazzù managed the team during the regular season but was sacked before the start of the play-offs.
  2. [n 2]
    Norway Ronny Deila managed the team during the regular season but was sacked before the start of the play-offs.
  3. [n 3]
    Germany Florian Kohfeldt managed the team during the regular season but left before the start of the play-offs.
  4. [n 4]
    Belgium Wouter Vrancken managed the team during the regular season and the first 7 matchdays of the Champions' play-offs.
  5. [n 5]
    Belgium Edward Still was the manager for matchdays 1 through 8, Nigeria Joseph Akpala was caretaker manager on matchday 9 and again from matchday 17 to 20, and Belgium Glen De Boeck managed the team from matchday 10 to 16.
  6. [n 6]
    Belgium Steven Defour was the manager for matchdays 1 through 12,Belgium Frederik Vanderbiest acted as caretaker manager for matchdays 12 through 14
  7. [n 7]
    Belgium Marc Brys was the manager for matchdays 1 through 10, Belgium Eddy Vanhemel acted as caretaker manager on matchdays 11 through 13.
  8. [n 8]
    Brazil Caçapa was the manager for matchdays 1 through 25, France Bruno Irles managed the team for matchdays 26 through 30 but was replaced before the start of the play-offs.
  9. [n 9]
    Belgium Carl Hoefkens was the manager for matchdays 1 through 20.
  10. [N 10]
    Belgium Jonas De Roeck was the manager for matchdays 1 through 16, Belgium Bart Goor took up the caretaker position of matchday 17, and Belgium Rik De Mil managed the team for matchdays 18 through 30.
  11. [N 11]
    While the announcement of Ronny Deila's signature at Club Brugge was already made on 25 May 2023, Rik De Mil remained in charge for the last few matches of the season and Deila thus only officially took up the position as soon as the 2022–23 season ended.
  12. [N 12]
    While the announcement of Glen De Boeck's signature at Kortrijk was already made on 28 September 2023, it was added that he would only take over on 2 October 2023, meaning caretaker Joseph Akpala remained in charge for the match of 29 September 2023.
  13. [N 13]
    At the time of the announcement of Glen De Boeck's signature at Kortrijk the team was in last place. When he actually took over a few days later the team had moved into 15th.
  14. [N 14]
    While the announcement of Óscar García's signature at OH Leuven was already made on 3 November 2023, caretaker Vanhemel remained in charge for the match of 4 November and García took over only after that match.
  15. [N 15]
    While the announcement of Besnik Hasi's signature at KV Mechelen was already made on 8 November 2023, caretaker Vanderbiest remained in charge for the match of 11 November and Hasi took over only after that match.
  16. [N 16]
    At the time of the announcement of Besnik Hasi's signature at Mechelen the team was in 14th place. When he actually took over a few days later the team had moved into 11th.

References

  1. [1]
    "Witte rook over nieuwe competitieformule in 1A: 16 ploegen, tot 3 dalers, halvering blijft" [White smoke on new competition format in 1A: 16 teams, up to 3 teams facing relegation, halving of points remains] (in Dutch). 17 June 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Union Saint Gilloise Announce "Sustainable" Nike Kit Deal - Fewer New Kits & Lower Prices". Footy Headlines. 1 May 2023.
  3. [3]
    "OFFICIEEL: Ronny Deila is de nieuwe coach van Club Brugge na zijn vertrek bij Standard" [OFFICIAL: Ronny Deila is the new manager of Club Brugge after his departure at Standard] (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2023-05-25.
  4. [4]
    "Edward Still neemt na de pandoering op de slotspeeldag "in onderling overleg" afscheid van Eupen" [Edward Still bids farewell to Eupen "by mutual agreement" after 7–0 loss on final matchday] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-04-25.
  5. [5]
    "Bernd Storck trekt na zondag de deur achter zich dicht bij Kortrijk" [Bernd Storck departs forgood at Kortrijk after next Sunday] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-04-21.
  6. [6]
    "Coach Bernd Hollerbach verlaat STVV op het einde van het seizoen" [Manager Bernd Hollerbach to leave STVV at the end of the season] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2022-12-15.
  7. [7]
    "Eupen haalt met Florian Kohfeldt ex-Bundesliga-trainer binnen" [Eupen brings in former Bundesliga manager Florian Kohfeldt] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-06-08.
  8. [8]
    "EDWARD STILL NIEUWE HOOFDCOACH KV KORTRIJK" [EDWARD STILL NEW HEAD COACH KV KORTRIJK] (in Dutch). kvk.be. 2023-07-02.
  9. [9]
    "Fink is een Bink" (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2023-05-16.
  10. [10]
    "Carl HOEFKENS nouveau T1 des Rouches" [Carl HOEFKENS new T1 of the Reds] (in French). sporza.be. 2023-06-16.
  11. [11]
    "Union en Karel Geraerts gaan uit mekaar: "Afscheid van topcoach en mooi persoon"" [Union and Karel Geraerts part ways: "Goodbye to top manager and beautiful person"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-06-21.
  12. [12]
    "Union kiest voor Alexander Blessin als opvolger van Karel Geraerts" [Union chooses Alexander Blessin to succeed Karel Geraerts] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-03.
  13. [13]
    "Donderslag bij heldere hemel: RWDM ontslaat coach Vincent Euvrard 1 week voor competitiestart" [A bolt from the blue: RWDM fires coach Vincent Euvrard 1 week before the start of the competition] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-24.
  14. [14]
    "RWDM heeft nieuwe trainer beet: Braziliaan neemt over, De Camargo assistent" [RWDM has a new manager: Brazilian takes over, De Camargo assistant] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-25.
  15. [15]
    "KV Kortrijk zet Edward Still aan de deur na 2 op 24, Akpala neemt voorlopig over" [KV Kortrijk sends Edward Still to the door after 2 on 24, Akpala takes over for the time being] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-09-25.
  16. [16]
    "KV Kortrijk tovert Glen De Boeck tevoorschijn als nieuwe trainer" [KV Kortrijk conjures up Glen De Boeck as its new trainer] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-09-28.
  17. [17]
    "OH Leuven en Marc Brys gaan uit elkaar: "Prestaties blijven onder de verwachtingen"" [OH Leuven and Marc Brys split: "Results remain below expectations"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-10-13.
  18. [18]
    "KV Mechelen neemt afscheid van coach Steven Defour: "Het belang van de club op de 1e plaats gezet"" [KV Mechelen says goodbye to manager Steven Defour: "The interests of the club come first"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-11-02.
  19. [19]
    "OH Leuven haalt met Oscar Garcia ex-aanvaller van Barcelona binnen als nieuwe coach" [OH Leuven has brought in ex-Barcelona striker Oscar Garcia as its new manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-11-03.
  20. [20]
    "Daar is de opvolger van Steven Defour: KV Mechelen legt zijn lot in handen van Besnik Hasi" [There is Steven Defour's successor: KV Mechelen places its fate in the hands of Besnik Hasi] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-11-08.
  21. [21]
    "De nederlaag te veel: Jonas De Roeck ontslagen bij Westerlo" [One loss too many: Jonas De Roeck fired at Westerlo] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-12-02.
  22. [22]
    ""Zwaar ontgoocheld is een understatement": Glen De Boeck misnoegd na ontslag bij KV Kortrijk" ["Very disappointed is an understatement": Glen De Boeck dissatisfied after dismissal from KV Kortrijk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-12-06.
  23. [23]
    "Eerste grote uitdaging als hoofdcoach: Club-assistent Rik De Mil moet Westerlo uit het slop halen" [First big challenge as manager: Club-assistant Rik De Mil to get Westerlo out of the doldrums] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-12-12.
  24. [24]
    "Standard zet de samenwerking met coach Carl Hoefkens stop" [Standard ends cooperation with manager Carl Hoefkens] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-12-31.
  25. [25]
    "Standard haalt Ivan Leko terug naar België als nieuwe coach, Kroaat tekent voor 2,5 seizoenen" [Standard brings Ivan Leko back to Belgium as new manager, Croatian signs for 2,5 seasons] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-25.
  26. [26]
    "IJslandse coach, die ooit de Red Flames klopte, moet KV Kortrijk van degradatie redden" [Icelandic coach, who once beat the Red Flames, shall save KV Kortrijk from relegation] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-01-05.
  27. [27]
    "RWDM zet degradatiestrijd voort zonder T1 Claudio Caçapa: "Er is verandering nodig"" [RWDM continues relegation battle without head coach Claudio Caçapa: "Change needed"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-02-11.
  28. [28]
    "Niet Igor De Camargo maar Fransman Bruno Irles moet RWDM van de degradatie redden" [Not Igor De Camargo but Frenchman Bruno Irles to save RWDM from relegation] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-02-14.
  29. [29]
    "Coach Florian Kohfeldt past voor play-downs en verlaat Eupen met onmiddellijke ingang" [Manager Florian Kohfeldt passes for play-downs and leaves Eupen with immediate effect] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-16.
  30. [30]
    "Eupen legt degradatielot in handen van coachingduo Fèvre-Andersen: "Zullen samen ons doel bereiken"" [Eupen puts relegationfate in hands of managerial duo Fèvre-Andersen: "Will achieve goal together"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-25.
  31. [31]
    "Club Brugge ontslaat coach Ronny Deila, Nicky Hayen neemt tot eind van seizoen over" [Club Brugge sacks manager Ronny Deila, Nicky Hayen takes over until the end of the season] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-18.
  32. [32]
    "Bom bij Westerlo: Rik De Mil ontslagen, Turkse eigenaars woest na slotfase tegen Genk" [Bomb at Westerlo: Rik De Mil sacked, Turkish owners furious after final few minutes against Genk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-19.
  33. [33]
    "Charleroi heeft "nieuwe mindset" nodig voor degradatiestrijd en zet Mazzu aan de deur" [Charleroi needs "new mindset" for relegation battle and sacks Mazzu] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-20.
  34. [34]
    "Rik De Mil vindt meteen een nieuwe uitdaging bij Charleroi" [Rik De Mil immediately finds new challenge at Charleroi] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-22.
  35. [35]
    "RWDM stuurt nog maar eens zijn coach weg en legt zijn lot in handen van Yannick Ferrera" [RWDM sends away its manager yet again, puts fate in hands of Yannick Ferrera] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-03-23.
  36. [36]
    "Genk bevestigt vertrek van Vrancken: "Hij geeft de voorkeur aan een nieuwe uitdaging"" [Genk confirms departure of Vrancken: "He prefers a new challenge"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2024-05-09.
  37. [37]
    "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2024.
  38. [38]
    "BOEK P" [BOOK P] (PDF). Belgian FA. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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