Lierse trainer Herman Helleputte said it during his welcome speech to the players on Wednesday, and repeated it later in the day at the first pitch training. Lierse has just one aim this season, to get back to the top flight, and preferably as champions. Helleputte: “We absolutely want to return to the first division at the end of this season, that’s the ambition of everybody within the club. The ambition can also be seen in the investments made: our infrastructure has been substantially improved with an artificial training pitch, and investment in the pitch and stadium. Additionally the medical staff (Vervoort) and coaching staff (Jansen) have been expanded.”

Compared to last season Lierse can begin the season in total serenity, as confirmed by the Lierse trainer Helleputte:
“It’s the difference between day and night. Last year we were dead, now we’re alive and kicking. I’ve said that this morning to the players, they can now train and play in ideal circumstances, without non-sporting concerns, Maged Samy
has taken care of that.”

Meanwhile five of the seven acquisitions took part in training, and although it’s early days, Helleputte is optimistic: “Even at the first training you can already see that our acquisitions will be reinforcements, the level is substantially higher than last year. Competition is strong, with two players for every position everybody will have to be on their toes to be able to get a place in the team.”

The full video interview, including Helleputte’s opinion on the subjects of Utaka and Dissa, can be seen on Lierse TV.
On the same channel, you can see a behind-the-scenes view of the players get together, and the trainer’s speech.