The consequences were immediate and severe for RAAL La Louvière. Following a 0-1 home defeat to Cercle Bruges that included two missed penalties, the club relieved coach Edward Still of his duties, the team announced Saturday. The loss, detailed by RTBF, dropped the club further into the relegation zone and triggered a decisive response from the club’s leadership.

The match itself was a microcosm of La Louvière’s season: promising moments undermined by critical errors. Cercle Bruges broke the deadlock early, capitalizing on a defensive lapse in the sixth minute. A swift one-two between Gary Magnée and Steve Ngoura ended with Ngoura finding the net, putting the visitors ahead, RTBF reported. The home side, struggling to create clear chances, was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Luke Le Roux fouled Leandro Rousseau in the box. However, Mustapha Isah’s spot-kick sailed wide of the target, squandering the opportunity to equalize before halftime.

The second half saw La Louvière continue to struggle for attacking rhythm. They earned a second penalty in the 80th minute when Lukas Mondele handled the ball in the area. Rousseau took the kick, but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Cercle Bruges goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke. Elias Filet came close with a header that struck the post in the 74th minute, but it was as close as the home side would come. The defeat marked a second loss for Still’s team, a trend that proved unsustainable for the club’s leadership.

President Curaba: ‘The Interest of the Club Passes Before Everything’

The decision to part ways with Still was confirmed by club president Salvatore Curaba in a statement reported by Sudinfo. Curaba, who addressed the media in the absence of the dismissed coach, explained that the club’s precarious position at the bottom of the Jupiler Pro League left no alternative. “We love Edward, but the interest of the club passes before the interest of each person, and I think we must make a decision now,” Curaba said, echoing comments made to DAZN.

With La Louvière in 17th place and before last in the standings with just 7 points from 11 matches, Curaba outlined the club’s failed objectives. The team had set a target of earning at least five points from its last three matches, a run that began with a win against Zulte Waregem. “We started well, it meant something had started,” Curaba stated. “The conclusion is that we are not good enough and we must react. It’s a big failure for the RAAL and for us leaders. I feel almost more responsible than Edward.”

Still’s tenure, which began in July, lasted 12 matches across all competitions, yielding only 3 victories, 1 draw, and 8 defeats. Sudinfo reported that Curaba acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting the club had no previous experience in sacking a manager since the difficult departure of Frédéric Taquin. “We are in a crisis situation, but when things go wrong, it is an opportunity to surpass oneself to find solutions,” Curaba said. “It takes courage.”

La Louvière Misses Penalties

The statistics from the match as reported by DHnet show La Louvière's offensive struggles. Despite dominating possession at times, the team generated few genuine scoring opportunities. The two penalties, both missed, were their clearest chances to find an equalizer. Cercle Bruges, on the other hand, was efficient in front of goal, with Ngoura’s early goal being the difference.

The defeat has significant implications for the league standings. Cercle Bruges moved to 9 points, temporarily lifting them out of the relegation zone to 15th place. La Louvière, meanwhile, sank deeper into trouble, remaining anchored to the bottom with 7 points. The loss also cost the club crucial points in the direct battle against rivals fighting to avoid relegation.

Still, as DHnet noted, Peano’s performance in goal for La Louvière was described as a rare positive from the match for the home side, even as his teammates failed to provide him with sufficient support. The collective attacking ineffectiveness highlighted the tactical issues that ultimately led to Still’s departure.

What’s Next for La Louvière

La Louvière’s immediate focus will shift to finding a replacement for Still. Curaba confirmed that the club’s management would begin the search for a new coach on Monday. The challenge, as he admitted, is significant. “We will get back to work tomorrow, but at the same time, we must not make a mistake in choosing a coach, so it is extremely difficult,” he stated, per Sudinfo.

The team’s next match is a trip to Genk after the upcoming international break, a fixture that will now be overseen by an interim manager or a newly appointed successor. Cercle Bruges, meanwhile, will host Westerlo at home. For La Louvière, the urgent task is to halt their downward spiral and secure points in the second half of the season to preserve their top-flight status. The board’s decision to act swiftly, according to Curaba, is driven by a desire to give the team the best possible chance to survive.