Tim Bakens leads SK Beveren into tougher Jupiler Pro League season

Tim Bakens, 43, steps in as the new head coach of SK Beveren as the Belgian side returns to the Jupiler Pro League. He inherits a squad that secured early promotion last season after an unbeaten run in the Challenger Pro League under fellow Dutchman Marink Reedijk.

Under Marink Reedijk, Beveren went unbeaten throughout the Challenger Pro League campaign, clinching promotion to the top tier well before the season's end. The flawless record set high expectations for the club's debut in the Jupiler Pro League.

Bakens, who replaces Reedijk, acknowledges the difficulty of surpassing the previous campaign. “The season Beveren experienced last year is hard to surpass. I have briefly spoken with my predecessor Marink Reedijk, but ultimately I must chart my own path,” he told Het Belang van Limburg.

He also warns that the step up to the highest level will bring more defeats. “At the highest level you will lose more often than last season. That is the reality. It will be my task to prepare the group for that and ensure we handle it correctly,” Bakens said.

Bakens does not yet have full control over his roster, as several key players are unavailable. “Najim is still injured, Margaritha is active with Curaçao at the World Cup and goalkeeper Reus is also absent for now,” he explained.

He stresses the need to align the team's principles while working with the players who are present. “We must align our principles. Meanwhile I work with the players who are available,” Bakens added.