Marc Overmars, the technical director of Royal Antwerp FC, is executing an ambitious strategy to make the Great Old attractive again with young signings. This is revealed in a report by HLN Voetbal this week, outlining the club's plans for the season. Antwerp currently sits sixth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from three games, following two wins and a draw.
Overmars returned to the Bosuil in November 2025 after a two-year suspension for inappropriate messages to female colleagues. His contract runs until 2028. Together with new majority shareholder Wouter Vandenhaute, who succeeded Paul Gheysens, and head coach Marvin Compper, he is laying the foundation for a new future. Compper, previously a youth coach at RB Leipzig, also has a deal until 2028. The goal is clear: to become Belgian champion again and perform well in the Champions League. The club is reported to have a transfer budget of 50 million euros and a wage bill of 40 million euros.
"We want to make Antwerp sexy again. Attractive football, young talents, and results in Europe," said Overmars. The strategy revolves around buying young players with potential and later selling them for a profit.
The club has made several targeted investments this summer. Noah Sadiki (20) joined from Union SG for a fee of four million euros, signing until 2029. Jelle Duin (21) was brought in from AZ for 3.5 million euros, also on a contract until 2029. Daouda Guindo (21) was signed from FC Basel for 2.5 million euros and tied down for four seasons as well.
For more experience, the club loaned Orel Mangala (26) from Olympique Lyon for one season, with an option to buy for twelve million euros. Viktor Tsygankov (26) from Girona was also added to the squad.
The new approach must now translate to results on the pitch. Antwerp has scored nine goals this season and conceded five, giving them a goal difference of plus four. The club is, however, five points behind leaders Charleroi. The next important match is the away game against Standard Liege, who are third, on 5 September 2026. The current league table can be followed on our standings page.
"We don't just throw money around. Every euro must be well spent," Overmars emphasized about the financial approach. The investments are thus intended to bear fruit in the medium term, both sportingly and financially.
The focus is now on integrating the new players and achieving results under Compper's leadership. The coming weeks, including the match against Standard, will be a first test for the revamped team. The club aims to consolidate its position in the top six and reduce the gap to the leaders. Fans can find the schedule for the coming weeks in our fixtures overview. The ultimate goal remains to bring the Great Old back to the top of Belgian football.
