How Royale Union Saint-Gilloise perfected the role of ‘a selling club’ – and may win a title with it
Last weekend, Belgium’s Pro League split and its six-team championship series began.Among those clubs are Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (RUSG) who, since being promoted back to Belgium’s top-flight in 2021, have defied budgetary disadvantages, as well as player and coaching turnover, to consistently challenge at the top of the table.AdvertisementRUSG are from Brussels and are 11-time national champions. That’s faded glory, though. The last of those titles was won in 1935 and until promotion four years ago, they had not played in Belgium’s top flight since 1973.But they began the new phase of the season with a show of power, thumping Royal Antwerp — who were playing in the Champions League last season — 5-1 at the 9,400-capacity Joseph Marien Stadium on Saturday.Their story is becoming well known. So much so that RUSG are now a shorthand for quality, data-led recruitment […]