Bayern and Dortmund were following Jürgen Cavens, he chose Belgium
In the corridors of a Belgian studio, Jürgen Cavens, former Red Devil, recounts how Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and Borussia Dortmund were following him, but he preferred to stay in Belgium, where he built a trophy‑laden career.
Interest from European clubs
The 2673rd former Red Devil, he confirmed having been approached by several major European clubs. “Bayern Munich and Ajax were following me. Borussia Dortmund even made me an offer,” Cavens said in an interview with Gazet van Antwerpen. He played five matches for the Red Devils, scoring one goal.
He explained that, at the time, he did not feel mentally strong enough to make the step to the Bundesliga. This decision steered the course of his career toward Belgian clubs where he later played. His career was also marked by several loans, giving him varied experiences within Belgian football.
A rich career in Belgium
Cavens spent a large part of his career at Lierse, Gent and Standard Liège. With Lierse, he won the Belgian league in 1997, the Belgian Cup in 1999, as well as two Super Cups in 1997 and 1999. These successes made him one of the most decorated players of his generation in the Belgian league.
In 2005, his spell at Germinal Beerschot earned him a second Belgian Cup. He also clinched the second‑division championship title in 2010, adding another medal to his honours. After Beerschot, he continued his trajectory at other Belgian clubs, consolidating his role as an experienced striker.
Cavens was capped five times for the Belgian national team, scoring a goal with the Red Devils. “I was capped five times for Belgium and I won a second cup with Beerschot,” he recalls. He believes those caps were the highlight of his international career.
Today, he acknowledges that he would have liked to achieve more, but he does not regret his overall journey. “After that, the opportunity never came. I know I could have done better. But my career was beautiful,” he concludes calmly. Despite missed opportunities, he looks at his path with pride, convinced that he has left a lasting mark on Belgian football.