Club Brugge have sacked coach Nicky Hayen just two days before their Champions League clash with Arsenal, appointing former manager Ivan Leko as his replacement.

The 47-year-old Croatian, who previously managed Brugge from 2017 to 2019, joins from KAA Gent, who said they were caught off guard by the move.

Hayen, 45, had been in charge since March 2024, stepping up from assistant after Ronny Deila’s dismissal. He guided Brugge to a dramatic league title that season and oversaw a strong Champions League campaign last term while finishing second domestically to Union Saint-Gilloise.

This season, however, results have dipped. A weekend defeat to St. Truiden saw Brugge slip from second to third in the league, trailing leaders Union by five points.

“The club would like to sincerely thank Nicky Hayen for his hard work in the past and wishes him all the best in the future,” the club said in a statement.

Hayen conducted morning training on Monday before being informed of his dismissal just hours later.

Gent confirmed they were unaware of Leko’s departure.

“I just learned through the press that Nicky Hayen has been dismissed from Club Brugge and that Ivan Leko is his successor,” Gent chairman Sam Baro said. “I’m as stunned as anyone. Club Brugge hasn’t contacted us.”

Leko reportedly activated a release clause in his Gent contract to facilitate the move, with Belgian media estimating the fee at around €1 million ($1.16 million).

Brugge currently have four points from five Champions League games, sitting outside the qualifying spots in fourth place in their group. Victory over Arsenal is crucial if they are to keep hopes of reaching February’s knockout stage alive.