Football Season Guide

Standard Liege emerged as the strongest and most impressive side in the league in the second half of last season after overcoming a very poor start. They developed great chemistry and momentum under Ricardo Sa Pinto and deservedly claimed a Champions League qualification spot after sneaking into the top six. Sa Pinto never really looked likely to maintain his tenure with the Liege side beyond last season, however, as the chairman had set his heart upon bringing Standard legend Michel Preud'homme back as a manager this summer. Thus, the Portuguese left by mutual consent despite the marked improvement and positivity garnered around the club. Preud'homme comes with a massive pedigree, having established himself as probably the best Belgian manager of the last few years. He will bring possession football and will rely less on direct attacking play compared to his predecessor. Standard's major transfer business so far in the summer has been turning the loan deals of major players like Mehdi Carcela, Konstantinos Laifis and Luis Cavanda into permanent arrangements. Moreover, they brought in a couple of young Belgian players from Italy in Samuel Bastien and Senna Miangue. Bastien looks like quite a catch and should provide quality and flexibility in midfield. The outgoings have been limited so far as only players who were already on loan last season were let go, some of them for sizeable transfer fees, like Mathieu Dossevi and Isak Belfodil. Standard have the structure in place and a very capable squad to launch a credible title challenge, something that has been beyond them since 2014. The fans feel that it is the Reds' time to triumph again at last but there will be considerable pressure on Preud'homme and the squad and it remains to be seen how much time they will need to properly gel.