Former Hearts star takes senior coaching responsibility at European regulars amid major upheaval
The former Hearts star also featured for the likes of Dundee United in his career.
A former Hearts star is set for senior coaching responsibilities this week at a European side, amid major upheaval.
Anderlecht are a well known club from Belgium and feature regularly in UEFA competitions, knocked out of the Conference League this season at the play-off stage. They are fourth in the Belgian top flight currently and major changes have been sparked, head coach Besnik Hasi gone at the start of February after less than a year in charge.
Edward Still replaced him in an interim capacity as one of Hasi’s other assistants, former Lazio and Argentina midfielder Lucas Biglia, also made way. Still has now taken the vacant managerial position at Watford after a 2-0 defeat by Genk at the weekend and Olivier Renard has left as sporting director, with former Hearts man Arnaud Djoum entering the picture.
Where is Arnaud Djoum now?
Now 36, he played for Hearts between 2015-2019 and featured 132 times in Gorgie, with 15 goals and 18 assists from midfield. He also featured for Dundee United in Scotland and won the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon as a player, having been an Anderlecht youth player at the beginning of his pro career. Djoum was back in Belgium beginning his transition to his coaching capacities at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise before becoming a youth coach at Anderlecht last summer.
With several major exits, the former Jambo is being promoted on an interim basis from the U16s to the first team, according to reports in Belgium. Jeremy Taravel will lead the team into the second leg of a Belgian Cup tie with Royal Antwerp on Tuesday, in which Anderlecht trail 1-0, Naim Aarab also promoted from the youth ranks to help out.
A club statement reads: “RSC Anderlecht has parted ways with Chief Technical Officer Olivier Renard. Olivier Renard was appointed as sporting director of the first team in October 2024. The club would like to thank Olivier for his commitment and dedication and wishes him all the best in his future career.
What changes have been made at Anderlecht
“The search for a new sporting director is ongoing. Edward Still is also leaving the club. Edward had been part of the staff as assistant coach since last summer. He has now decided to resign to take up a challenge at a club abroad. The club wishes him the best of luck in this new challenge.
“Pending the appointment of a new head coach, Jeremy Taravel will lead the team in the Croky Cup semi-final against Antwerp.”
Biglia said on his exit: “I am very grateful to RSCA for allowing me to gain this experience at my club. My decision to leave the club now is purely personal and is due to my loyalty to Besnik Hasi. I look back on the past period with great appreciation. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again in the future. I wish the club, the players, the staff and the supporters only the very best and will continue to follow RSCA closely."