Sheffield United's sister club Beerschot fail to ignite the race to take charge at Bramall Lane
Both Ismaila Coilibaly and George Broadbent missed Beerschot’s defeat by Oostende at the weekend through injury; a result which could have implications for Sheffield United’s search for a new permanent manager.
The duo sat out the match at the Olympisch Stadium, which was settled by a late Jelle Baitaille strike, through injury.
The result saw the visitors maintain the pressure on fourth-placed Anderlecht in the battle for a place in the Jupiler Pro League play-offs. Alexander Blessin the Oostende head coach, is known to be under consideration for the vacancy created at Bramall Lane by Chris Wilder’s departure last month.
If Oostende fail to overhaul their rivals from Brussels, it could make it easier for United to make an official approach for the former RB Leipzig youth team coach, although legislation governing work permit applications post-Brexit represent a huge stumbling block with Blessin failing to fulfil two of the most important criteria.
Like United, Beerschot are owned by HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Prince Abdullah, a member of Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, made a significant investment in the Belgians before seizing control of United following a High Court battle with long-standing board member Kevin McCabe in 2019.
Beerschot, where Prince Abdullah’s footballing advisor and confident Jan van Winckel is known to boast strong ties, have since been brought under the ‘United World’ banner - a network of teams which also includes interests in France, India, Dubai and of course South Yorkshire.
After making a flying start to his career in Antwerp, where he was dispatched on a three year loan following a move from Sarpsborg in Norway, Coulibaly’s grip on a starting place had begun to weaken before a foot complaint ruled him out of action.
Broadbent, a graduate of United’s Steelphalt Academy youth programme, has struggled for game time since leaving South Yorkshire during the recent transfer window. He is also currently in the treatment room after injuring himself during a training session.
Beerschot appeared on course to win Sunday’s contest after taking the lead through Loris Brogno, before efforts from Marko Kavasine and Baitaille swung the match in Oostende’s favour.