Georges Leekens

Date of birth: 18 May 1949
Nationality: Belgian
Playing career: KFC Dessel Sport, Royal Crossing Club de Schaerbeek, Club Brugge KV, K. Sint-Niklase SK
Coaching career: Cercle Brugge KSV (twice), RSC Anderlecht, KV Kortrijk (twice), Club Brugge KV, KV Mechelen, Trabzonspor, R. Charleroi SC, R. Excelsior Mouscron (twice), Belgium (twice), KSC Lokeren OV (twice), Roda JC, Algeria, KAA Gent, Al-Hilal

• Together with brother René, moved from Dessel Sport to Crossing Club in 1970 where he made his professional debut. His tough tackles earned him the nickname 'Mac the Knife' and in 1972 the central defender joined Club Brugge.

• Five league titles followed, Club Brugge reaching the finals of the UEFA Cup in 1976 and the European Champion Clubs' Cup two years later, losing to Liverpool FC on each occasion. In 1981 Leekens left for Sint-Niklase, retiring in 1984.

• Promptly appointed Cercle Brugge coach and won the Belgian Cup in his first season. Spells at Anderlecht and Kortrijk followed before Leekens returned to Club Brugge, winning the league title straight away in 1990 – when he was also named Belgium's Coach of the Year – and the domestic cup a year later.

• After short spells at a series of other Belgian clubs, plus Turkish side Trabzonspor, appointed coach of Belgium in 1997. Reached FIFA World Cup the following year, but failure to get out of the group prompted his departure.

• Held a number of short-lived coaching roles, including stint leading Algeria in 2003, and spent three seasons in charge of Gent before returning to Kortrijk in summer 2009. Reappointed Belgium coach in May 2010 after Dick Advocaat's departure.