Ex-Super Eagles striker takes charge of Belgian Jupiler League club

Kortrijk have had a poor campaign, and they will be hoping that Akpala can stem the tide 

Former Super Eagles striker Joseph Akpala has been appointed as Kortrijk interim coach following the sack of Glen De Boeck as head coach, Soccernet.ng reports.

Kortrijk have had a roller-coaster campaign this season. They sit rock bottom of the Belgian Jupiler League after recording just two wins from 16 games. They have lost ten games and drawn four.

The club is winless in six games, with their last win coming in October, a shock win over league giants Club Brugge.

Coach De Boeck’s job has been on the line in recent weeks, and he was finally sacked on Wednesday following Kortrijk’s 1-0 loss to RWB Molenbeek on Tuesday.

The club confirmed this via a statement on their X page. They also revealed that Akpala will be taking charge as interim coach.

This makes it the third time, that Akpala will be serving as an interim manager in the last six months. He had earlier served as interim coach before the season started. But he returned to being an assistant when Kortrijk appointed Edward Still. However, Still’s appointment was ill-fated, as he was sacked after failing to win any of his first eight games.

After Still’s sack, Akpala took charge for one game and steered the club to victory against Cercle Brugge. Nonetheless, he returned to his old position after Kortrijk confirmed De Boeck’s appointment.

Unfortunately, De Boeck was flattered to deceive, as his win against Club Brugge was his only achievement.

De Boeck leaves Kortrijk languishing at the bottom of the Jupiler League, seven points below safety. And Akpala will likely take charge of Kortrijk for their game against KVC Westerlo.

If the 37-year-old wins this weekend, and posts other performers with the club, he could get the job on a permanent basis.