Gent dramatically missed out on Europe after failing to catch top 4 in the league and also losing Belgian Cup final against lower league team.
The season was difficult from the start with only 4 wins in the opening 10 rounds + unexpected late August departures for regulars Foket and Kubo saw coach Vanderhaeghe sacked in mid-October to be replaced by Dane Thorup for the rest of the season.
The new coach improved the home form, 6 wins and 1 draw in his first 7 home league games, but further departures of players in January (Kalinic, Andrijasevic and Koita) and the constant issues on the road seem to have ended Gent’s chances to qualify for Play-off I.
The last place in the top 6 was stolen from Sint-Truiden right at the end of the regular season thanks to four-game winning streak. However, strategic error was made then in the play-offs with Gent focusing entirely on the Belgian Cup final and series of bad results, plus defeat in the final left the Buffalos outside the top 4 come the end of the season.
Young striker David had a breakthrough campaign and he is one for the future for certain, plus Sorloth impressed a lot since joining club in January. However, the most effective player was defender Bronn, who scored 7 goals in the league and also showed versatility, he was used as right-back, centre-back and holding midfielder.
Gent have some exciting young players and also several experienced ones, which with a bit more strengthening this summer should make the Buffalos a team to watch next season.
