Europa League
Vitor Bruno outlines Anderlecht rebuild and Lukaku hopes
Portuguese coach Vitor Bruno held his inaugural press conference as RSC Anderlecht manager on Thursday, speaking in French and outlining his ambitions for the Belgian giants. He addressed the club’s recent trophy drought and his vision for rebuilding the side.
Bruno chose to address the Belgian media in French, a skill he honed while serving as Sergio Conceição’s assistant at FC Nantes. He recalled exchanging messages with former captain Guillaume Gillet, noting Gillet’s strong presence in the dressing room.
Gillet said joining Anderlecht was straightforward after hearing the project presented by Kenneth Bornauw and Antoine Sibierski. He added that the club’s vision and passion resonated with him, making commitment easy.
Bruno noted that both Anderlecht and Sporting have not lifted a trophy for nearly ten years, underscoring his appetite for challenges. He cited his long spell at Porto and the clubs’ historic European reputations as benchmarks for the future.
He warned that progress will not happen instantly, praising the current squad’s attitude while noting that bench rotations can alter dynamics. For Bruno, pressure stems from the resources available rather than the immediate expectation of silverware.
Among the players, Bruno highlighted young midfielder Nathan De Cat, who featured prominently in the first training sessions. He expressed confidence in De Cat’s talent and pledged to give him the best possible support.
When asked about potential signings, Bruno joked about the prospect of Romelu Lukaku returning this summer, saying he could call the striker if needed. He also mentioned other targets such as Cvetkovic, Sikan, Terry Van De Ven and Bertaccini.
Bruno confirmed his recent sabbatical, which began in January 2025, and reiterated his commitment to honesty with the press. He reflected on nearly two decades of coaching since 2008, balancing family life with four children, and stressed that staff introspection and productive analysis will drive continual improvement.